New Zealand student washed away after aiding mate at beach near Blairgowrie Air Crewman Andrew Keegan searches the sea above Blairgowrie from a helicopter. A MAN is feared drowned after he jumped into treacherous waters to save a mate off Victoria's coast. A 20-year-old student from New Zealand was standing on a rock at Pearse's Beach, near Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula, with his two friends when one of the them slipped into the water just after 2pm on Wednesday. The man bravely jumped in and rescued his stricken mate, but as he tried to climb to safety, a deadly wave swept him back out to sea. His friends called 000, and emergency services rushed to the scene. They then watched on helplessly as a five-hour air and sea search failed to find him last night. Sergeant Danny Lean said the incident was a tragedy. These young men are obviously traumatised. They've lost their friend right in front of their eyes," he said. Our main priority is to locate him, but at this stage it is just a recovery operation. When dark fell, police and SES called off the search, which involved a police helicopter, local police and water police. They were trying to contact relatives in New Zealand. The search centred on the area between St John's Wood Rd and Browns Rd about 50 metres off the beach. Large waves added to the dangerous conditions at the height of the tide at 3pm, however there did not appear to be a strong rip in the immediate area. Police have closed the beach to the public.