Police and WorkCover are investigating the death of a Newcastle man who was crushed by his work truck.

Police say the 44-year-old subcontractor from Bar Beach was making minor repairs to a nine metre flat bed truck at a Lambton business in Wyong Road last night.

At about 9:00pm (AEST) the truck rolled forward, trapping the man between the driver’s side door and the wall of the building.

Paramedics were called and treated the man for extensive injuries, but he was pronounced dead shortly after.

A crime scene was set up and the truck will undergo a mechanical examination to determine why it rolled.

WorkCover has also been called in to investigate the incident.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.