JOHNSON COUNTY — A 24-year-old teacher jumped into the Coralville Reservoir to rescue a fifth-grade student who slipped near the Lake Macbride spillway, then directed children on shore to call 911, according to newly released details of the September 22, 2026, tragedy that claimed both lives.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office released its account October 23, identifying the victims as Hannah Jorgensen, 24, of Tiffin, and Ahmed Osman, 10, of Iowa City. Jorgensen taught fifth grade at Borlaug Elementary, where Ahmed was a student.
The update describes the rescue attempts by Jorgensen and a bystander, along with the actions students took to summon help. It follows NIT’s earlier coverage of the teacher and student’s deaths and the recovery effort that continued into a second day.
Lunch stop near shoreline turned into an emergency
Investigators determined that Jorgensen and Ahmed were participating in a School of the Wild field trip at Macbride Nature Recreation Area with fifth-grade students from Borlaug Elementary.
Jorgensen led a group of 14 students on a woodland hike that ended near the Coralville Reservoir shoreline, south of the Lake Macbride spillway. As part of the field trip curriculum, the group stopped to eat lunch near the shore.
During that stop, Ahmed stepped into water flowing down the spillway and slipped on rocks, causing him to fall into the reservoir, the sheriff’s office said.
Jorgensen immediately jumped into the water to rescue him, leaving her phone on shore.
Students called 911 and alerted a bystander
Once in the water, Jorgensen directed her students to call 911.
One student used her phone to make the emergency call while other students alerted a bystander on the opposite side of the spillway.
The bystander also jumped into the water, attempting to rescue both Ahmed and Jorgensen. He was unable to save them but managed to return safely to shore, authorities said.
He remained with the students until first responders arrived and was interviewed by investigators. The sheriff’s office did not identify him in the release.
School staff escorted the remaining 13 students back to school. All were later interviewed as part of the investigation.
Victims recovered on separate days
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded at 12:10 p.m. September 22 to a report of two people in the water at Lake Macbride State Park near the Coralville Reservoir.
Jorgensen was recovered September 22. Ahmed was recovered September 23. Authorities said both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The latest account places the fatal incident in the Coralville Reservoir, south of the Lake Macbride spillway.
A childhood dream of teaching
For Jorgensen, becoming a teacher fulfilled a dream that began in childhood.
According to her obituary from Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, she once asked Santa for an overhead projector. In later years, her Christmas requests included whiteboards and markers.
She grew up in Solon, graduated from Solon High School in 2020 and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Governors University. Before becoming a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug, she worked as a paraeducator and student teacher at Garner Elementary and a building substitute at Wickham Elementary.
Her family described a patient, calming young woman who brought humor and kindness to her relationships with students, friends and relatives. Away from school, she enjoyed cooking, music, concerts, hiking and time with loved ones.
A memorial in Ahmed’s name
Ahmed’s obituary through Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service identifies him by his full name, Ahmed Mohamed Osman, and lists his birth date as May 24, 2016.
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County has established the Ahmed Osman Memorial Fund to support a memorial bench at Pheasant Ridge and a scholarship in his name.
Investigation remains open
The response drew assistance from the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, Johnson County Emergency Management and fire departments from Solon, North Liberty, Swisher, Lisbon and Mount Vernon.
Other assisting agencies included the Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center, Johnson County Ambulance Service, University of Iowa Police Department, North Liberty Police Department, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State Patrol and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
UI Air Care, UI MED ONE, the Johnson County Medical Examiner and the Story County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.
The sheriff’s office said the incident remained under investigation as of its October 23 update and that no further information was available for release.