TEACHER TRIED TO SAVE 10-YEAR-OLD STUDENT DURING FIELD TRIP — BOTH DIED, FATHER SAYS

A school field trip in Iowa ended in tragedy after a 10-year-old fifth-grade student and his 24-year-old teacher died in a water accident at a nature recreation area.

Ahmed Osman, 10, and Hannah Jorgensen, 24, were taking part in a fifth-grade School of the Wild field trip at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area in Johnson County on Sept. 22.

According to Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Osman, 59, his son fell into the water and Jorgensen tried to save him. Both ultimately drowned.

Authorities, however, have not released a full account of how the two entered the water. The father’s description was reported by PEOPLE after he spoke with The New York Times, while the official investigation remains ongoing.

A FIELD TRIP TURNS INTO A TRAGEDY

The incident happened during a field trip organized through the University of Iowa’s School of the Wild program for fifth-grade students from Borlaug Elementary.

At approximately 12:10 p.m. on Sept. 22, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of people in the water near the Coralville Reservoir spillway at Lake Macbride State Park.

Emergency responders arrived and recovered an adult from the water at about 12:43 p.m.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim was later identified as Hannah Jorgensen of Tiffin, Iowa, a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary.

A search was then launched for a missing child.

SEARCH CONTINUED INTO THE NEXT DAY

Emergency crews searched the area throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening.

The search involved numerous agencies, including the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, local fire departments, emergency medical services, the University of Iowa Police Department, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State Patrol.

Recovery efforts were suspended overnight before resuming the following morning.

At approximately 1:24 p.m. on Sept. 23, responders recovered Ahmed’s body from the Coralville Reservoir.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the identities of both victims.

Officials said the incident remained under investigation and initially released no further details about what had happened.

FATHER SAYS TEACHER TRIED TO SAVE HIS SON

As the family began mourning, Mohamed Osman described the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his son’s death.

According to PEOPLE, Osman told The New York Times that Ahmed wandered toward the lake and fell into the water.

Jorgensen then tried to save the boy, he said.

Neither survived.

The account has led to tributes describing Jorgensen as someone who tried to protect her student, but investigators have not publicly confirmed the exact sequence of events.

In a statement released Sept. 25, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said investigators were continuing to conduct interviews and gather information.

Authorities said they had no additional details to release at that time.

“WE DIDN’T BELIEVE HE WOULD LEAVE US THIS SOON”

For Ahmed’s family, the loss has been devastating.

His father told The New York Times that the family never imagined they would lose the 10-year-old so soon.

“We didn’t believe he would leave us this soon,” Mohamed Osman said, according to PEOPLE.

He also said his son had “a lot of dreams.”

Ahmed dreamed of becoming a doctor or a soccer player, his father said.

Those dreams have now become memories for a family trying to cope with the sudden loss of their child.

COMMUNITY GATHERS TO REMEMBER AHMED AND HANNAH

A vigil was held Thursday evening for Ahmed and Jorgensen.

Members of Iowa’s Sudanese community gathered alongside family members, friends and supporters to mourn the 10-year-old boy and his teacher.

Hundreds of people reportedly attended the gathering, offering condolences to Ahmed’s family and remembering both victims.

Speakers also expressed gratitude to the emergency responders from more than a dozen agencies who spent hours searching for Ahmed.

The gathering became a moment of solidarity for a community struggling to understand the tragedy.

“DEEPLY VALUED MEMBERS” OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

The Iowa City Community School District said Ahmed and Hannah were both deeply valued members of the school community.

“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 district said.

The school district said counselors and additional support personnel would remain available to students and staff.

Borlaug Elementary also thanked the community for its support as students and teachers struggled with the loss.

The school said its community was hurting but that the support from families and neighbors meant more than could be put into words.

SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS SUSPENDED

The tragedy has also led to immediate changes involving the School of the Wild program.

The Iowa City Community School District canceled upcoming School of the Wild field trips for the foreseeable future.

The University of Iowa also suspended the program while more information about the incident is gathered.

The program provides outdoor educational experiences for elementary and middle school students through the university’s College of Education.

INVESTIGATION REMAINS OPEN

As of Sept. 26, authorities had not publicly explained exactly how Ahmed and Hannah ended up in the water.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said investigators were continuing to conduct interviews and collect information.

Officials have also asked the public and media to respect the privacy of both families as they grieve.

For Ahmed’s family, the tragedy has taken away a 10-year-old boy who had dreams of becoming a doctor or soccer player.

For Hannah’s family, colleagues and students, it has taken away a young teacher whose life ended while she was with her students.

And for the Borlaug Elementary community, Sept. 22 will remain a day remembered for the sudden loss of Ahmed Osman and Hannah Jorgensen.