More details have emerged following a fatal field trip. One that claimed the lives of one Iowa teacher and a student back in September.
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Hannah Jorgensen, a fifth-grade teacher at Borlaug Elementary School in Iowa, was recovered from the Coralville Reservoir and pronounced dead at the scene. The following day, the body of 10-year-old Ahmed Osman was recovered from the same reservoir.
Teacher Urged Students to Call 911 After Jumping in Reservoir
Per the
latest update from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Jorgensen had taken the students to the nearby reservoir to have their lunch after coming from a hike on September 22. Per the update, the students had lunch near the shoreline, which was the location where Osman fell into the reservoir.Officials said that Osman "stepped into the water flowing down the spillway. He slipped on the rocks, causing him to fall into the water of the Coralville Reservoir."
Upon noticing that the child was in danger, Jorgensen "immediately" rushed into the water in an attempt to save him. And shortly after urged the other students in the area to call 911 for help.
"Once in the water, she directed her students to call 911," the sheriff's office said (via PEOPLE). "One student used Jorgensen's phone to make the call while other students alerted a bystander on the other side of the spillway."
Bystander Tried to Help Student and Teacher After Fall
The Sheriff's Office also reported that a bystander rushed into the reservoir to help Jorgensen and Osman. But was unsuccessful and returned to shore without any injuries. According to the update, the bystander stood by with the children until first responders arrived at the scene.
Per the report, there were 13 students who witnessed the tragic incident. All of them were interviewed by police in the aftermath.
The Iowa City Community School District said that Jorgensen and Osman's tragic deaths have had a lasting impact.
"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 in a statement to PEOPLE.
"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 continued.
