A 10-year-old fifth-grade student and his teacher died after the teacher attempted to rescue him when he fell into the water during a school field trip in Iowa, according to the boy’s father.

Ahmed Osman was on a field trip to the Macbride Nature Recreation Area earlier this week when he wandered toward the water and fell into a lake, his father, Mohamed Osman, 59, told The New York Times.

Ahmed’s teacher, 24-year-old Hannah Jorgensen, tried to save the boy, but both ultimately drowned, his father said.

“We didn’t believe he would leave us this soon,” Osman said, adding that his son had many dreams for the future.

The incident happened Tuesday, September 22, at Lake Macbride State Park near the Coralville Reservoir spillway, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

Emergency responders recovered Jorgensen at about 12:43 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Search teams continued looking for Ahmed throughout the evening but suspended the operation overnight. The search resumed the following morning, when rescuers recovered his body from the reservoir.

The Iowa City Community School District said the incident occurred during a School of the Wild field trip for fifth-grade students from Borlaug Elementary.

The district described Ahmed and Jorgensen as valued members of the school community and said their deaths had deeply affected students, staff and families.

“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,” the district said.

A vigil was held Thursday night to remember Ahmed and Jorgensen. Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects, with members of the Sudanese community offering support to Ahmed’s family.

Speakers at the vigil also thanked emergency responders from more than 15 agencies who took part in the search for Ahmed.

The school district said counselors and additional support personnel would be available to students and staff affected by the tragedy in the days ahead.

“We know grief looks different for every person,” the district said, adding that its focus would be on supporting students and staff as they mourn.

SOURCE: PEOPLE, Susan Young, September 26, 2026.