NEW YORK -- A 56-year-old construction worker from New Jersey died when he was run over by his own van in Central Park on Monday morning, according to a report.

Manuel Sobral of Union was driving a Ford van near the Loeb Boathouse around 6:30 a.m. when a small metal fence got wedged under the vehicle, according to NYPost.com.

Sobal fell under the vehicle as he tried to jar the fence loose by placing his foot on the gas with the van in reverse. One of the front tires crushed him, the report said.

The van stopped after striking a rock.

He was pronounced dead at the scene along East Drive near East 74th Street, NYDailyNews.com said.

MSM Empire Construction Corp. of Mineola, N.Y. owned the van, the Post reported. The company was doing work for the Central Park Conservancy, CBS-2 said.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.