Wow. Such a relief it worked out OK.
Hear hear to the congrats to ATC; even with my very limited experience, I've had enough Aaaaagh! moments -- all either self-inflicted or imagined --- to know how much difference that calm, friendly voice on the radio can make.
But hats off also to the pilot, for agreeing to the recording being promulgated.
Suggestion to Mods: Can this be copied to the Private Flying forum? (Don't know how these things work!) There are a lot of lessons here.