Iowa death update: Victims are identified in Lake Macbride tragedy

A fifth-grade field trip in Iowa turned tragic following the death of a teacher and a 10-year-old student after drowning at Lake Macbride.

Authorities identified the victims as 24-year-old Hannah Jorgensen of Tiffin, a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary, and 10-year-old Ahmed Osman of Iowa City, a student in the same school.

Emergency responders were called out to the reservoir area near the Lake Macbride spillway at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, due to reports of individuals in the water. Jorgensen’s body was recovered roughly half an hour later, and Ahmed’s body was recovered the following day after a thorough search operation.

The students were involved in a School of the Wild field trip, which was a part of the University of Iowa’s College of Education activities in the MacBride Nature Recreation Area. All School of the Wild activities have been temporarily suspended, and no further field trips will be organized for the Iowa City Community School District in the future.

“Today we are all heartbroken about the tragedy that has happened,” stated ICCSD Community Relations Director Kristin Pedersen. Counselors and support staff are available at the Borlaug Elementary School, and the ICCSD is delaying its regular board meeting.

The investigation into the case continues, and it is unknown as of now what caused the two boys to fall into the water. The Macbride Dam Road and Macbride Nature Recreation Area are still closed pending the outcome of the investigation.