Lang
9/22/26
The Iowa City Community School District has issued statement about Tuesday’s water rescue at Lake Macbride.
First responders were called to a water emergency on the lake at 12:10 Tuesday afternoon, specifically to an area near the Lake Macbride dam with Coralville Lake. Crews were on the scene for almost eight hours.
A statement issued by the school district Tuesday night reads:
We are heartbroken by the tragic accident that occurred today during a Borlaug Elementary fifth-grade School of the Wild field trip at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.
We are working closely with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation, and we are grateful to the first responders and others who provided care and assistance at the scene.
Counselors and additional support personnel will be available at Borlaug Elementary to support students and staff in the days ahead. We recognize the impact an event like this can have across our entire school community and will continue to provide support as needed.
School of the Wild field trips have been canceled for the foreseeable future.
Out of respect for those involved and their families, and while the investigation remains ongoing, the district will not be providing additional details about the circumstances of the accident at this time.
No other details have been released.