The kid's account is interesting, but if it is accurate it raises one big question for me.
PHI's flight-following procedures dictate that flight plans be closed *after* landing. (Many pilots call "landing" prematurely, while they are still in the air in direct contravention of the letter and spirit of PHI's rules.) When an aircraft is overdue, PHI "goes crazy" trying to find it; by that I mean, they do not take these things lightly. If it is true that "no one" was looking for the S-76, then either two things had to happen:
1. PHI's computerized flight-following system failed to alert that a ship was overdue (which happens immediately at the ETA - the aircraft's call-sign turns red or flashes or something);
2. The flight-plan had already been closed while the aircraft was still in the air, meaning that the "two-hour check" rule was in effect and the company would not look for the aircraft until that time period had elapsed.
Either way, there was a serious breakdown in the system somewhere and explanations are due. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if the helicopter was full of pax instead of empty seats.