I heard an interview of the passenger, on ABC radio, in which reference was made to the activation of an ELT. So I reiterate my first post:
If an ELT or PLB was activated, it didn't work well (if at all). Even an old 121.5 model would have been heard by aircraft in the general vicinity, if it had been working properly.
I will be very interested to find out the make/model/age/means of fitment/carriage of the beacon to which the story refers.
If an ELT was carried but didn't work properly, the malfunction is not the pilot's fault.
(For my part, I always assume that the ELT won't work. Hence the PLB on my hip and the spare in the seat pocket...)