A 36-year-old man is facing a manslaughter trial after prosecutors allege he left his girlfriend to freeze to death on Austria's highest mountain before descending alone.
The fatal ascent of Grossglockner
Thomas Plamberger and his 33-year-old girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, embarked on a hike up the Grossglockner in January. Prosecutors state the couple were ill-prepared for the extreme conditions, with Gurtner reportedly wearing only soft snowboarding boots unsuitable for the high-altitude, mixed terrain.
The climb began around two hours later than planned, with webcam footage capturing the light from their head torches at approximately 6pm. Their progress became harder to track as the night wore on and their torch batteries faded.
Allegations of abandonment and negligence
According to the indictment, the situation turned critical when Gurtner became "exhausted, hypothermic and disoriented" in the dark, approximately 50 metres below the summit cross. With wind chill plunging temperatures to around -20C, Plamberger, an experienced mountaineer considered the tour's 'guide', allegedly left her there and continued his descent alone.
Prosecutors highlight several key failures:
- Plamberger did not carry an essential emergency kit, including a bivouac sack or rescue blankets.
- He is accused of failing to call emergency services in a timely manner, despite the pair being stranded from about 8.50pm.
- He reportedly remained silent when a police helicopter flew overhead at 10.50pm.
- He only spoke to an Alpine Police officer at around 12.35am and did not notify rescue services of their full situation until 3.30am, after he had departed.
- As the more experienced climber, he is charged with not accounting for his girlfriend's lesser experience and physical limits, encouraging her onward despite the perilous conditions.
It is alleged that by 2.30am, Plamberger had left Gurtner to attempt a solo descent down the other side of the mountain.
Trial and defence
Thomas Plamberger has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and could face up to three years in prison if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin in February.
Through his lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, Plamberger denies the allegations. He claims he left to get help and describes Gurtner's death as a "tragic, fateful accident."
