JEFFERSON — A 53-year-old man was killed Monday when he was apparently trapped under the rear wheels of his tractor.

In a news release issued Monday by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Brendon Kane said the initial investigation suggests that Shawn P. Hickey was attaching a piece of equipment to his tractor on South Clary Road when the accident, which was reported shortly before noon, happened.

When deputies arrived in this northern Lincoln County town, they found Hickey deceased at the scene. The cause of death will be determined by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Det. Sgt. Ronald Rollins is the lead investigator in the case. He was assisted by Det. Jared Mitkus and Deputy Nate Aronson. The Jefferson Fire Department and Central Lincoln County Ambulance responded as well.