Iowa Teacher and 10-Year-Old Student Die on Lake MacBride Field Trip

A fifth-grade field trip at Lake MacBride State Park ended in tragedy when an Iowa teacher and a 10-year-old student died in a water-related incident, authorities and school officials said.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims Wednesday as Hannah Jorgensen, 24, of Tiffin, and Ahmed Osman, 10, of Iowa City.

Deputies were called shortly after noon Tuesday to reports of people in the water near the Coralville Reservoir spillway at Lake MacBride State Park.

First responders recovered an adult from the Coralville Reservoir at 12:43 p.m. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.

Search crews continued looking through the evening for a juvenile who remained missing before pausing recovery operations overnight.

The search resumed Wednesday, and responders recovered the juvenile from the water at 1:24 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

The Iowa City Community School District confirmed that Jorgensen taught fifth grade at Borlaug Elementary and that Ahmed was a fifth-grade student there.

The deaths occurred during a School of the Wild excursion at the MacBride Nature Recreation Area, the district said.

In a statement, the district said it was “heartbroken” by the loss of Jorgensen and Ahmed.

“Hannah and Ahmed were deeply valued members of our school district community, and their loss is being felt throughout Borlaug and across our district,” officials said.

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“Our hearts are with their families and loved ones, as well as Hannah’s colleagues and students, Ahmed’s classmates and friends, and everyone who knew and cared for them.”

Counselors and other support staff would be available at Borlaug Elementary to help students and employees cope with the tragedy, the district said.

“This is an extraordinarily painful time for the Borlaug community and our entire school district,” officials said. “We will continue to come together, care for one another, and keep Hannah, Ahmed, and their families at the center of our hearts in the difficult days ahead.”

More than a dozen agencies took part in the search and recovery effort, including the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, area fire departments, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State Patrol, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and medical personnel.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also expressed her sympathy after the deaths.

“This unimaginable loss touches the entire Borlaug Elementary community and Iowa City School District,” Reynolds wrote. “Please know that Iowans across our state are standing with you in the difficult days ahead.”

Jorgensen also appeared to have experience working at Garner Elementary.

In a post on social media the school said: “Garner Elementary is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ahmed Osman, a fifth-grade student at Borlaug Elementary, and Hannah Jorgensen, his fifth-grade teacher.

“Prior to her time at Borlaug, Hannah was a beloved member of the Garner staff, serving as a paraeducator for multiple school years, as well as completing both her practicum and student teaching experiences. Hannah’s calm presence, willingness to go above and beyond, and love for all students made Hannah an amazing person and educator.

“Please continue to keep Ahmed and Hannah’s family, and the Borlaug community in your thoughts during this terribly difficult time.”

The sheriff’s office said the incident remains under investigation.

News Outlet has reached out to the Iowa City Community School District for additional comment.