Authorities in Iowa identified a teacher and a student who died during a fifth-grade field trip at Lake Macbride State Park. The Johnson County Sheriff's Office confirmed the deaths on Wednesday, naming the victims as Hannah Jorgensen, 24, of Tiffin, and Ahmed Osman, 10, of Iowa City. Deputies responded to a report of people in the water near the Coralville Reservoir spillway shortly after noon on Tuesday. First responders recovered an adult from the reservoir at 12:43 p.m., and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The search for a missing juvenile continued throughout the evening before being suspended overnight. Recovery efforts resumed on Wednesday, and first responders pulled the juvenile from the water at 1:24 p.m.
The Iowa City Community School District stated that Jorgensen taught fifth grade at Borlaug Elementary and that Osman was a fifth-grade student at the same school. The district noted that the incident occurred during a School of the Wild field trip at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area. In a statement, the district described itself as "heartbroken" by the deaths, saying that Jorgensen and Osman were deeply valued members of the community. The district said counselors and additional support personnel would remain available at Borlaug Elementary to assist staff and students. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also offered condolences, writing that the loss touches the entire Borlaug Elementary community and the Iowa City School District.
Garner Elementary, where Jorgensen previously worked, shared a social media post expressing sadness over the passing. The school noted that Jorgensen had served as a paraeducator for multiple years and completed her practicum and student teaching experiences there. The post described Jorgensen as having a calm presence and a love for all students. A coalition of over a dozen groups participated in the recovery effort, which included the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, regional fire services, state natural resources and patrol officials, Army Corps of Engineers personnel, and medical staff. The sheriff's office said the incident remains under investigation.