A runaway emu which had its legs cuffed by police after running onto a Victorian highway has died.

The bird was "crash-tackled" by a police officer it as it tried to run into traffic on the Princes Highway, Newborough, on Saturday night, police say.

Locals unsuccessfully tried to round up the emu - which can run at speeds of 48 km/h - before police tried to catch it in their police car.

A plucky police officer then crash-tackled the tiring bird and slapped cuffs on its legs to prevent it kicking out.

"A vet was also on scene to assist but sadly the emu died due to what is believed to be stress from the incident," a police spokesman said in a statement on Monday.

The police officer suffered cuts and bruises.