Though if the eyewitness statements as reported is as reported word for word.....why didnt my friend fire off a mayday if he was encountering trouble therefore resulting in an autorotation into the water.
There is hardly ever a mayday call when a single pilot helicopter has a severe problem, such as loss of power or control. Too much other stuff going on, not enough time to focus on explaining the situation over the radio to people who can't do anything about it anyways...