Paramedics were called Thursday to treat two contestants who fell ill while rehearsing outside for the Miss Florida USA pageant.
The women were poolside at the Westin Diplomat, where the pageant will be held, rehearsing and taking pictures when the sun's heat and the humidity began to take a toll on them.
Special section: Miss Florida USA
Miss Tampa USA Ashley Day passed out during the pageant preparations. Her peers did their best to shield Day from the sunlight and keep her cool until someone carried her inside to the air conditioning.
Paramedics were called to treat Day and another contestant who was ill.
"Right now, I think they're going to do a little bit of IVs on her just to make sure she's fully hydrated, has her electrolytes back in her," said Miss Clearwater Cher Hubsher, who is also a nurse. "The hot sun is beaming down on us. It's so hard to even open our eyes, that this could have happened to anybody."
The women who were treated were given fluids and ordered to take it easy for the rest of the day.
The pageant, during which 76 women will compete to become Miss Florida USA, will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday.