High school marching band doused with pesticide by crop-duster

PEARLAND , Texas, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- A Texas crop-duster missed its target earlier this week and ended up striking a sour note by spraying a high school marching band with pesticide.

More than 350 members of the Pearland High marching band were sprayed by the Brazoria County Mosquito Control District airplane while they were in the practice lot at the school.

There were no serious injuries, but some band members did develop a rash or experience sneezing and coughing fits. The pesticide which was sprayed is categorized as "low level."

"It was pretty much right over us," band member Karleigh Fletcher told WCSH. "I was just surprised, if it was really pesticide, why would they be doing it over 300 kids?"

Students were instructed to shower and wash their instruments.

"It was a freak accident," school principal Larry Berger said. "They didn't know we were here and we didn't know they were coming."

The band will now hold practice inside.