That's a tough situation. Sounds like there was no helping the hiker who slipped and fell, sounds like he was DRT. But one answer to most all of these lost/stranded/injured in a remote area stories is a beacon such as a PLB rescue beacon, a Spot (messenger-one way) or inReach (communicator-two way).

There are differences between the three systems (primarily they run on different satellites) and the best system is situationally dependent. I wasn't particularly interested in communicating with family/friends while at work so I went with a real PLB for the reliability of a SAR subsystem that dovetailed straight into the network -- no 3rd party involved. For many though, the messengers and communicators may have benefit and as long as they actually cover your geographic area (there are holes in the Spot system's coverage), go for it. My situation could change though and if so I may get one of the other systems, probably an inReach Explorer. In any case, I'll keep the PLB for the reliability of eliminating the middleman in an actual SAR event.