CROWLEY, Texas — The late summer sun proved to be too much for dozens of high school students in Crowley on Saturday afternoon.
About 40 band members were overcome by unseasonably warm temperatures after participating in a halftime show at the game between Crowley and North Crowley high schools.
The bands from both schools performed in the stands during the first half as fans used umbrellas to shield themselves from the blazing sun and football players cooled off on the sidelines.
At halftime, the bands performed on the the artificial turf. While one Crowley Fire Department official estimated the temperature on the field to have reached well over 100 degrees, the bands played on—in full uniform.
But as the second half started, sirens interrupted the game. The game continued, but fans could see ambulances streaming into the parking lot from Crowley and surrounding cities to treat the 40 band members who began to show signs of heat exhaustion.
Crowley Fire Department Division Chief Larry Swartz said the students suffered severe sweating, nausea and were vomiting. "Some of them were getting cramps and general weakness and not able to stand up," he said.
School officials tried to block News 8 from videotaping the scene as conditions for some students worsened.
At least 10 students were taken to area hospitals for treatment of heat exhaustion. Paramedics warn just because this is September, it's no time for people to stop taking precautions for the heat.
"If you don't take care of yourself and hydrate, cool off every once in a while, take frequent breaks, then you're going to suffer," Chief Swartz said.
The football game continued without the bands—but with more attention on keeping cool.
WFAA ABC 8
Crowley band members performed at halftime Saturday afternoon before many succumbed to the heat.
WFAA ABC 8
Cheerleaders and football players could take advantage of misting fans on the sidelines.