Fatal Lake Macbride accident claims teacher and student after field trip
A 24-year-old teacher and a 10-year-old student died after falling into the water during a field trip at Lake Macbride on September 22, 2026. The teacher’s body was recovered Tuesday, while the student’s body was found Wednesday after a 24-hour search. Authorities are investigating the incident, and future trips have been canceled.
Key points
- Hannah Jorgensen, a 24-year-old fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary, was pronounced dead at the scene after being recovered from the Coralville Reservoir on Tuesday afternoon.
- Ahmed Osman, a 10-year-old fifth-grade student from Iowa City, was recovered from the water on Wednesday at 1:24 p.m. after a search that lasted more than 24 hours.
- The incident occurred during a 'School of the Wild' field trip at the MacBride Nature Recreation Area, a program run by the University of Iowa.
- The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating how both victims entered the water, and the Iowa City Community School District has canceled all future field trips of this type.
- Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement offering condolences to the families and praising the first responders involved in the search and recovery efforts.
Background
The University of Iowa’s 'School of the Wild' program has operated since 1991, reaching over 6,000 students annually. The program is currently being relocated as the university exits its lease for the 485-acre MacBride Nature Recreation Area due to rising upkeep costs. This incident follows previous coverage of the initial emergency response and the suspension of search efforts overnight on September 23.
How outlets are covering it
KCRG and The Gazette both confirm the identities of the victims and the timeline of the recoveries, with The Gazette providing specific details on the 1:24 p.m. recovery time for the student and the extensive list of assisting agencies. The Iowa City Press-Citizen focuses on the visual evidence of the emergency response, documenting the presence of multiple fire departments and law enforcement at the spillway. All sources agree that the incident was a 'tragic accident' during a field trip, but KCRG and The Gazette emphasize the emotional impact on the Borlaug Elementary community, while the Press-Citizen highlights the logistical scale of the search operation.
Why it matters
This tragedy has prompted a complete cancellation of the 'School of the Wild' program, affecting thousands of students across Iowa. It raises questions about safety protocols during outdoor educational activities and has led to a significant community response, with counselors and support personnel deployed to Borlaug Elementary to help students and staff process the loss.
What to watch
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office will continue its investigation into the circumstances of the accident. The University of Iowa is expected to announce a new location for the 'School of the Wild' program, though no timeline has been provided. The Iowa City Community School District will continue to provide support services to the Borlaug Elementary community in the coming days.
- Missing student’s body recovered from Lake Macbride, officials say KCRG
- Adult dead, juvenile missing after Iowa City elementary field trip at Lake Macbride KCRG
- Child and adult identified in Lake MacBride incident KWWL
- See emergency crews respond to 'tragic accident' at Lake Macbride press-citizen.com
- Responders resume search for student lost during School of the Wild fieldtrip thegazette.com
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