BENTON, Ark. — An inmate at the Arkansas Department of Corrections in Benton has died after reportedly electrocuting himself while working the grounds of the facility on July 12, according to a news release from the agency.
Nathan Boursh, 42, was a part of the grounds crew at the Benton Work Release Unit.
While working the grounds on Friday, witnesses said Boursh tried to use a metal pole he found near a pond to retrieve a fishing lure that was wrapped around an electrical power line, the agency said.
When the pole touched the power line, the department said Boursh was electrocuted.
The agency said life-saving measures were immediately performed on Boursh until he was transported to a hospital in Saline County.
"Despite the efforts, Boursh was pronounced dead in the ER at 12:29 p.m.," the release said.
Boursh had multiple drug offenses dating back to 2002 out of Scott County. His latest conviction was in 2020 for drug possession in Crawford County. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Although his most recent address was in Mountainburg, court documents show Boursh lived in Waldron for over a decade.
Arkansas State Police is investigating Boursh's death, while the Department of Corrections is conducting an internal investigation into the incident.
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