Iowa Teacher and 10-Year-Old Student Die During School Field Trip at Lake Macbride
A school field trip in Iowa ended in tragedy after a fifth-grade teacher and one of her students died following an incident in the water at the MacBride Nature Recreation Area.
The victims were identified as Hannah Jorgensen, 24, a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary School, and Ahmed Osman, 10, a fifth-grade student at the same school. The Iowa City Community School District confirmed that both died as a result of the accident during a fifth-grade “School of the Wild” field trip on September 22, 2026. (Trường Học Iowa City)
The incident occurred near the Coralville Reservoir spillway at the MacBride Nature Recreation Area, where authorities received a report of people in the water shortly after noon.
Extensive Search Operation
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and numerous emergency agencies responded to the scene as crews began searching for the two people.
Jorgensen was recovered from the water at approximately 12:43 p.m. Tuesday and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
The search for Ahmed continued for several hours. Recovery efforts were suspended overnight before resuming the following day. On Wednesday, September 23, first responders recovered Ahmed from the water at approximately 1:24 p.m. (The Mighty 1630 KCJJ)
The recovery operation involved a large number of agencies, including the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, local fire departments, Johnson County Emergency Management, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State Patrol, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ambulance crews and University of Iowa emergency personnel
Authorities have not released a detailed account explaining exactly how Jorgensen and Ahmed ended up in the water. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said the incident remains under investigation.
School District Mourns Teacher and Student
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
The Iowa City Community School District described Jorgensen and Ahmed as deeply valued members of the school community.
In a statement following the tragedy, the district said their absence would be felt throughout Borlaug Elementary, in classrooms and hallways, as well as among the families, friends, students and colleagues who knew them.
The district has also made counseling and support available at Borlaug Elementary as students and staff cope with the loss.
“Our hearts are with their families and loved ones, as well as their students, classmates, colleagues, friends, and everyone who knew and cared for them,” the district said. (Trường Học Iowa City)
The school community has been left grieving the loss of both a young teacher and a 10-year-old student who were together on what had been an educational outdoor field trip.
Remembering Hannah Jorgensen
Jorgensen had been working as a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary. The school’s current staff listing identifies her as a fifth-grade teacher. (Trường Tiểu Học Borlaug)
Before joining Borlaug, she had worked at Garner Elementary in North Liberty, where she served as a paraeducator for several school years and completed both her practicum and student-teaching experiences.
Garner Elementary remembered Jorgensen as a valued member of its staff, highlighting her calm presence, willingness to go above and beyond, and her care for students.
Her death has therefore been felt not only at Borlaug but also by former colleagues and members of the wider Iowa City-area school community.
Community Offers Support
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also expressed condolences to the students, staff and families affected by the tragedy.
“This unimaginable loss touches the entire Borlaug Elementary community and Iowa City School District,” Reynolds said, adding that people across Iowa were standing with the school community during the difficult days ahead.
The district has emphasized that students and staff will have access to support as they process the deaths.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have not publicly provided further details about what led to the teacher and student entering the water.
For now, the Borlaug community is mourning the loss of Hannah Jorgensen and Ahmed Osman, whose deaths during the September 22 school field trip have left their families, classmates, colleagues and the wider school district grieving.