A fifth-grade teacher and her 10-year-old student died after a water-related incident during a school field trip to Lake MacBride State Park in Iowa, 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, the sheriff’s office said.
Hannah Jorgensen, 24, died after being found in the water during a school field trip. (Hannah Jorgensen / Facebook)
At 12:43 p.m., emergency crews pulled an adult from the Coralville Reservoir. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Search teams continued looking through the evening for a missing child but halted recovery operations overnight.
Kayakers paddle at Lake Macbride State Park in Johnson County, Iowa, on May 25, 2020. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The search resumed Wednesday, and first responders recovered the child from the water at 1:24 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
The Iowa City Community School District said Jorgensen taught fifth grade at Borlaug Elementary, where Ahmed was also a fifth-grade student.
Hannah Jorgensen, a fifth-grade teacher, died after being found in a reservoir during a class trip. (Hannah Jorgensen / Facebook)
The deaths occurred during a School of the Wild field trip 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 wrote.
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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.”
Hannah Jorgensen, 24, a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary in Iowa, died after being found in the water. (Hannah Jorgensen / Facebook)
Counselors and additional support staff would be available at Borlaug Elementary, the district said.
“This is an extraordinarily painful time for the Borlaug community and our entire school district,” the district 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 participated 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 expressed her condolences after the deaths were confirmed.
“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.
Hannah Jorgensen was just 24 year old when she was found dead. (Hannah Jorgensen / Facebook)
“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 Media has reached out to the Iowa City Community School District for additional comment.