A surfer was taken to Gisborne Hospital on Saturday afternoon after his hand got hooked on a fishing line and he was dragged 500 metres out to sea.
The Wainui Surf Lifesaving Club says the surfer, a French tourist, was surfing at Wainui beach north of Gisborne at about 2.30pm when he became hooked on a set line.
A bartender working at a wedding at the surf club, who gave only the name Daryl, says the groom actually went to the rescue.
He says the groom swam to the man's aid, removed the hook from the line and helped him to shore.
Daryl says the hook was imbedded between the man's thumb and index finger.
It was surgically removed at Gisborne Hospital and the man has now been discharged.