Man behind North Melbourne shutdown ‘apologetic’

A MAN whose ‘homemade ornament’ caused a bomb scare that paralysed Melbourne’s rail network has apologised to commuters.

A MAN whose “homemade ornament” caused a bomb scare that paralysed Melbourne’s rail network has apologised to commuters.

The 38-year-old Meadow Heights man is reportedly “extremely apologetic” after he accidentally left the ornament at North Melbourne train station, causing an evacuation.

The discovery of the suspicious item threw Melbourne’s train lines into chaos during the morning peak, with thousands of passengers stranded.

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The device was left on a platform near a staircase.

Police said the man visited Broadmeadows police station today to explain himself.

The item, described as a “homemade ornament”, was harmless.

Police have closed the investigation.

Yesterday morning, the package threw Melbourne train lines into chaos, with police releasing CCTV pictures in a bid to catch him.

Five of Melbourne’s train lines were sent into disarray following the bomb fears, with Uber drivers cashing in on the surge pricing.

Uber’s high-demand pricing pushed the price of an 11-minute trip from North Melbourne to Flinders St to almost $90.

Uber surge pricing after North Melbourne train delays

Police told initially told Metro to stop all trains heading into North Melbourne, causing early morning headaches for thousands of commuters about 8am.

Passengers were evacuated and trains halted at the busy hub.

Passengers were evacuated from North Melbourne train station and all trains through the busy hub station were halted after a suspicious package was found this morning, causing peak-hour chaos into the city. Picture: Brianna Travers

“If you are on-board a train which is stopped, listen for announcements and remain on-board,” Metro said on its website.

A heavy police presence was still on the scene at North Melbourne until late morning.

North Melbourne station looks like a ghost town pic.twitter.com/1an7q5sM9b

— Megan Masters (@vera_metallum) May 2, 2018

#BREAKING: All train services around North Melbourne train station are at a standstill as @VictoriaPolice carry out a safety check. More details to come. #9News pic.twitter.com/Cze7nLcbcV

— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) May 2, 2018

Metro have just told passengers at Seddon station “major delays” will be up to 60 minutes. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/XrK8eaDjE7

— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) May 2, 2018

All trains through or approaching Nth Melbourne have been stopped due to a @VictoriaPolice request.
Listen for announcements, services may be altered at short notice.

If you are onboard a train which is stopped, listen for announcements and remain on board. pic.twitter.com/ZWn4Oe0XOO

— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) May 2, 2018

Police operation at North Melbourne. Trains suspended both ways on all lines. There's about 500 people waiting at the bus stop now... #Footscray #PTV #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/QKRhxMsMIo

— Alfred Chan (@AlfredC91) May 2, 2018

Chaos at Footscray Station with trains not moving in either direction due to a “police operation” at North Melbourne Station. @abcmelbourne pic.twitter.com/8h5OGnwSZZ

— James Dean (@JamesDeanNOW) May 2, 2018

Chaos at South kensignton Station most are choosing to walk out find a bus ... due to a “police operation” at North Melbourne Station. @abcmelbourne pic.twitter.com/HIIplYVwc4

— Dominique Hes (@Dominique_Hes) May 2, 2018

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