A suspicious backpack found on Island Drive outside of Old Woodlands Plantation on Hilton Head Island was deemed to be safe, according to officials from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Island Drive was closed to traffic while a Sheriff's Office bomb squad investigated. Island Drive is off of Mathews Drive near Mathews Drive's intersection with Marshland Road.

A Town of Hilton Head Fire & Rescue Division hazmat team remained on the scene to collect and test materials, said Sgt. Robin McIntosh of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

McIntosh said the backpack could have been there for at least a day when someone looked inside it and alerted the Sheriff's Office.

For updates, follow reporter Allison Stice on Twitter at @IPBG_Allison or check back here as the story develops.