Obviously can't comment on any particular case without knowing all the facts.
But, in general, students should not be going solo unless they are proficient at EFATO techniques. That includes landing straight ahead, or if that's not possible, a turn of up to 30 degrees. I know my PPL instructor wouldn't have sent me solo unless he was confident that I knew how to do this. And, when my PPL instructor was off sick and another instructor signed me off for solo circuits, this instructor also had me do an EFATO whilst checking me out.
Glad to hear that the injuries were only minor, and I wish the pilot a speedy recovery.
FFF
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