Students Treated for Tear Gas Exposure After Nearby Jail Test

Eighteen students and staff members at a South Texas middle school were treated for suspected exposure to tear gas used for training at a nearby state jail, the school district says.

The Raymondville school district says the Willacy County State Jail released a non-lethal riot control gas into the air on Thursday. They say 15 students, three coaches and a principal at Myra Green Middle School complained of itchy eyes and an upset stomach. The jail is about 1 mile from the school.

District officials say the students and staff were treated and are doing better. Other students were kept indoors for the remainder of the day.

A spokesman for the Tennessee-based company that runs the jail says it is investigating reports of exposure. He says employees were using the gas in a routine state-required training activity.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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