The POH/QRH procedure for most retractables is to land gear up in that event. Winding up inverted is not uncommon in many scenarios! I stand by my last - i'd rather be in an aircraft with conventional doors in that scenario. Even worse in a TB9 or 10 though!
What caused the ditching of your friend? Again, I'd rather not ditch at all... If I had to, give me conventional door(s) again.