A MAN has died after he became trapped under his vehicle in an accident his family has called "sudden and heartbreaking".
Emergency services rushed to a home on Griffiths Road at Lambton about 2pm on Saturday on reports a man had become trapped under a car.
Johnathan O'Neill, 49, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene but he sadly passed away.
His brother Colin Greaves told the Newcastle Herald that Mr O'Neill was a "hard worker" who enjoyed working on cars.
"He was just a guy that just tried to work hard, his father was a hard worker, and he just tried to be like his father," Mr Greaves said.
"John was a good bloke, he was a nice bloke who never asked for anything."
Mr Greaves said he was incredibly thankful to the emergency service workers who did everything they could to help his brother.
"When they got there the car was sitting on his chest, and the Newcastle fire, police, ambulance, everything, I can't be more proud," he said.
"If I had a million dollars for each of them I'd give them even more, I'd give them everything, because they worked for over an hour trying to help him and they couldn't do anything.
"They did as best they could."
NSW Police confirmed they have received no other reports of injury.
"Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident," A NSW Police spokesperson said.
"A report will be prepared for the Coroner."
A GoFundMe page has been started by Mr O'Neill's nephew online to raise funds for his funeral.
According to the fundraiser Mr O'Neill was a pensioner.
His nephew said "any support will help take the ease and stress off our family during this terrible time".
So far the GoFundMe has raised more than $2300 to help the family.
