Police were called to the rural house in Swan Bay, near Port Stephens, about 12.30pm on Sunday and were led to the tractor by the boy's grandfather, who was behind the wheel when the boy became trapped underneath.

Paramedics were called to treat the boy, but he died at the scene.

Police from Port Stephens Local Area Command will now prepare a report for the coroner, outlining the full circumstances surrounding the child's death.

with the Newcastle Herald

Correction: An earlier version of this story said the boy was 11. Police say he was 8.