Officer involved in Vic restraint death

An off-duty police officer was involved in the restraint of a man who died on the main street of a Victorian town.

The man, whose name and age has not been released, died on Sunday night after being restrained by a group of people in Heathcote despite the attempts of some of them, including the off-duty officer, to revive him.

His death on High Street is being investigated by homicide squad and police professional standards command.

A police spokeswoman said the "off-duty, sworn police employee" had been driving past when a member of the public flagged him down to help.

The victim, who is believed to have damaged property and attempted to enter passing cars before being subdued, could not be revived by paramedics.