The correct answer is D. left when he was needing help.
To leave someone in the lurch means to abandon them or fail to help them when they need it most. It is a phrase that is often used to describe someone who has been let down by a friend or family member.
Option A is incorrect because it suggests that the person left their friend forever. This is not necessarily the case, as the person may have left their friend temporarily but still intended to return.
Option B is incorrect because it suggests that the person left their friend for a short period of time. This is not necessarily the case, as the person may have left their friend for a long period of time or even permanently.
Option C is incorrect because it suggests that the person left their friend to their fate. This means that the person did not help their friend when they were in need and did not offer them any support.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. left when he was needing help.