Front-end loader removes bogged car from Melbourne beach

A driver has given a bizarre excuse after his rental car became bogged on a Melbourne beach early this morning.

A front-end loader was required to free the stranded vehicle just hours before beachgoers were due to pack the popular Elwood beach for the Australia Day public holiday.

The man, identified only as Mohammed, drove a rented Nissan Patrol onto the beach in the early hours of the morning before becoming bogged near the water.

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Mohammed told TODAY reporter Christine Ahern he drove onto the beach to "save someone" and wasn't aware it was illegal to drive on the beach in Melbourne.

"I was just trying to save someone, and he left," he said.

When asked if he was worried about how he would get the car out of the sand, he said "nothing is impossible".

"I believe in myself. I'm confident. You know, people go to the moon."

A tow truck was unable to free the car and a council loader was eventually brought in.

Police performed a BAC breathtest and allowed the driver to leave the scene.

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