The Solon, Iowa community is mourning the passing of Ahmed Osman, a fifth-grade student at Borlaug Elementary School, who passed away following a tragic water emergency during a School of the Wild educational outing at Lake Macbride in Johnson County on Monday, September 21, 2026.
According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews responded after Ahmed entered the water near Macbride Dam Road and the spillway and began struggling. Borlaug Elementary teacher Hannah Jorgensen attempted to rescue him after instructing nearby students to call 911. Rescue teams, water-response units, and air transport crews arrived at the scene, but Ahmed was pronounced deceased after being recovered from the lake. Jorgensen was also rescued and transported to a hospital in critical condition.
The incident has deeply affected the Borlaug Elementary School community, as students, educators, and families grieve the loss of a young life. The Iowa City Community School District has paused remaining School of the Wild trips while officials review safety procedures and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Ahmed’s family, classmates, teachers, and friends are now holding onto the memories and moments that made his life meaningful. Support services and grief counselors have been made available to help those impacted by the heartbreaking loss.
Thoughts and condolences are with Ahmed Osman’s family, loved ones, classmates, the Borlaug Elementary community, and everyone affected by this devastating tragedy. May his memory continue to bring comfort to those who knew him.