Instrument flying in cloud is a very perishable skill and requires recency not just currency - especially for the situation when you hadn't planned on doing it but suddenly find yourself there.
You are right SLMFS - it is a tricky transition, especially if it happens in a turn - that can be very disorientating.
It would be interesting to know when the pilot had last flown proper IMC (ie not under a hood)
If you're not prepared to transfer to instruments and fly IFR - DON'T go scud running!
Totally agree Crab. Quick decisions sometimes... VMC or IMC? If it was IIMC and the pilot (or somebody) suddenly saw ”ground reference”... it would have been very tricky to divert back to VMC with that IAS and high turn rate for a left ”U-turn”. Especially when flying single pilot...