In reading the article. Everything in his conversation seemed to make sense except the part about his friends. He had the wits to call, and call the right number. I don't know. I don't get it.
Reading what he said, gives me the creeps. It sounds like he was calling for help, and maybe to say goodbye? Why wouldn't he call 911? The statement about his friends wasn't the only untruth was it? He said he wasn't injured, only exhausted.
Perhaps he didn't need to dial a number but had pre-programmed numbers to just push one button and reach his family.