Emergency Response at Lake Macbride
Search and rescue operations are set to resume Wednesday morning at Lake Macbride following a tragic drowning incident that occurred during a fifth-grade “School of the Wild” field trip for Borlaug Elementary School. According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the lake near the Coralville Reservoir spillway at approximately 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday after receiving reports of people in the water.
Responders successfully recovered the body of an adult from the reservoir at 12:43 p.m., at which time the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. While the search for an additional missing child continued through Tuesday evening, authorities were forced to suspend operations overnight due to visibility and safety concerns. The sheriff’s office confirmed that all other witnesses and individuals present at the site have been accounted for.
School District and Investigation
The Iowa City Community School District issued a statement expressing profound grief regarding the incident. “We are heartbroken by the tragic accident that occurred today,” the district noted, adding that it is working closely with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office as the lead investigative body. In response to the tragedy, the district has announced the immediate cancellation of all “School of the Wild” field trips for the foreseeable future.
The investigation into the specific circumstances surrounding the drowning remains active. A multi-agency response team, including the Johnson County Metro Dive Team, University of Iowa Police, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Iowa State Patrol, assisted in the initial recovery efforts. Officials have not yet released the identities of the deceased adult or the missing child, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the need to notify family members.
Community Support
Borlaug Elementary is preparing to offer support to its students and staff in the coming days. The district confirmed that counselors and additional support staff will be available at the school to assist the community as it processes the event. “We recognize the impact an event like this can have across our entire school community and will continue to provide support as needed,” the district stated.