Toddler dies after being hit by truck on Lake Macquarie road

A three-year-old boy has died after he was hit by a truck on a road in New South Wales' Lake Macquarie region this afternoon.

The truck was travelling south on Donnelly Road, Arcadia Vale, when it hit a toddler running across the road about 3.50pm, police said.

Paramedics and police were called to the scene, and the boy was taken to John Hunter Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The truck's male driver was taken to the same hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

Police have declared a crime scene and are investigating the crash.