Karmactive Staff
Hannah Jorgensen, a 24-year-old fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary in Iowa City, and 10-year-old student Ahmed Osman died following an accident near the Coralville Reservoir spillway during a school field trip on September 22. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed both deaths and said its investigation remains ongoing.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 22, during a field trip to Lake MacBride State Park. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as Ahmed Osman, 10, and Hannah Jorgensen, 24. The adult was recovered on Tuesday at 12:43 PM. The child was recovered the following morning. The Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on September 25 stating that investigators were still interviewing people and gathering information and had no additional details to release. No cause of death beyond the circumstances of recovery has been officially confirmed.
School of the Wild field trips — the program that organized the outing — were suspended following the incident. The Iowa City Community School District activated crisis counseling resources for students, staff, and families.
Related Karmactive coverage: previous Karmactive coverage and related Karmactive background.
The Lake MacBride and Coralville Reservoir area near the spillway transition zone features shallow walking ledges that border deep reservoir currents within a very short distance of the shoreline. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances of the incident. Until that report is released, the confirmed facts are the identities of the victims, the recovery location, and the timeline above.
Johnson County lowered flags at government buildings to half-staff in memory of Osman and Jorgensen. For school field trip safety protocols and outdoor water safety guidance, see the linked resources.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office investigation is ongoing. The office has not set a timeline for releasing further findings. This story will be updated when official investigative conclusions are published.
Primary source links: johnsoncountyiowa.gov, iowacityschools.org.
