5th grade teacher, student die during field trip to Iowa nature reserve
A fifth-grade teacher and her student died during a field trip to an Iowa nature reserve this week, investigators and school officials said.
Hannah Jorgensen, 24, a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary School in Coralville, and Ahmed Osman, 10, died while on the trip at the MacBride Nature Recreation Area on Tuesday, the Iowa City Community School District said in a statement.
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office received a call around noon of two persons in the water near the Coralville Reservoir spillway at the nature reserve, which is roughly eight and a half miles north of Iowa City.
The bodies of Jorgensen and Ahmed were eventually found in the reservoir, investigators said. The circumstances behind their deaths during the trip are still under investigation, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
"Hannah and Ahmed were deeply valued members of our school district community, and their loss is being felt throughout Borlaug and across our district," the Iowa City Community School District said in a statement Wednesday. "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."
Jorgensen's body was first discovered Tuesday and Osman's the next day, investigators said.
School officials said that counselors will be on hand to help with the school community.
"This is an extraordinarily painful time for the Borlaug community and our entire school district. 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," the district said in a statement.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also offered her condolences and support to the school community as the investigation into the incident continues.
"This unimaginable loss touches the entire Borlaug Elementary community and Iowa City School District. Please know that Iowans across our state are standing with you in the difficult days ahead," she said in the statement posted on Facebook.
