Iowa Teacher and 10-Year-Old Student Die During School Field Trip at State Park

An Iowa elementary school community is mourning the deaths of a 24-year-old teacher and a 10-year-old student after both were found in the water during a school field trip at Lake Macbride State Park.

Hannah Jorgensen, a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary, was recovered from the Coralville Reservoir on Tuesday afternoon. Fifth-grade student Ahmed Osman was initially reported missing, prompting an extensive search that ended roughly 25 hours later when dive teams recovered his body from the same reservoir.

Authorities have not yet determined how the teacher and student ended up in the water.

Tragedy During ‘School of the Wild’ Field Trip

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of two individuals in the water at the park as first responders pulled out the body of Jorgensen at 12:43 p.m., and then the body of Osman at 1:24 p.m.USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Jorgensen and Osman had traveled to the Macbride Nature Recreation Area as part of a “School of the Wild” field trip organized for students.

Emergency crews responded after receiving a report involving two people in the water. The search operation brought together the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, local fire departments, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State Patrol, the US Army Corps of Engineers and medical personnel.

Jorgensen was found Tuesday, while the search for Osman continued into the following day.

The circumstances surrounding what happened remain under investigation.

School Remembers Hannah and Ahmed

The Iowa City Community School District described the loss as devastating for everyone connected to Borlaug Elementary.

“Hannah and Ahmed were so much more than members of our school community,” the district said, adding that their absence would be felt throughout the school and by the people who knew and loved them.

Counseling and other support are being made available to members of the Borlaug Elementary community as students and staff process the deaths.

The district said it would continue supporting those affected while remembering both Jorgensen and Osman.

Former Colleagues Pay Tribute to Jorgensen

Before joining Borlaug Elementary, Jorgensen worked at Garner Elementary in nearby North Liberty. She served there as a paraeducator for several school years and also completed her practicum and student-teaching experience at the school.

Garner Elementary remembered her for her calm personality, dedication to students and willingness to do more whenever help was needed.

“Hannah’s calm presence, willingness to go above and beyond, and love for all students made Hannah an amazing person and educator,” the school said.

Investigation Continues

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also offered condolences, describing the deaths as an “unimaginable loss” affecting the wider Borlaug Elementary and Iowa City school communities.

For now, one of the most important questions remains unanswered: authorities have not publicly explained how Jorgensen and Osman entered the reservoir during the field trip.

Their deaths remain under investigation.