Wasn't there, but not sure I'm too impressed. Tell ATC then shut the motor down?? No. I think not. Shut the engine down, then, when you have it all squared away, nothing else on for the moment, tell ATC. Mayday?? Overdoing it by a good margin. 45 minutes in the air? Possible other engine damage? Forget it. Turn smoothly cross-wind for return and land. Old fashioned visual circuit. Fast and simple. ATC considerations nil. At a time convenient to you, tell them what you are going to do. They would have miles of time to clear the runway you would tell them you are going to use.
The first line in your posting says it all. You weren't there; and given that the event seems to have come off very well, second guessing based on hindsight does very little to further the discussion, IMHO.