A man has been charged with manslaughter after prosecutors allege he failed to call for help quickly enough when his girlfriend froze to death during a climb on Austria's highest mountain.
The Fateful Ascent and Tragic End
Thomas Plamberger, 36, an experienced climber, and his partner Kerstin Gurtner, 33, attempted to summit the 12,460ft Grossglockner on January 18. Prosecutors state the pair began their trek two hours later than planned and were inadequately equipped for the conditions. Kerstin, for whom this was a first high-altitude tour, was wearing soft snow boots deemed unsuitable for the climb.
The situation turned critical near the summit. Just 50 meters from the top, Kerstin began to struggle severely and could not continue. As temperatures plunged to around -20C, she was left alone in an exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented state while Plamberger went to seek assistance.
Alleged Failures in the Emergency Response
Authorities have levelled serious accusations regarding the delayed emergency response. The couple became stranded at approximately 8.50pm, but prosecutors claim Plamberger did not make an immediate call for help or issue a distress signal.
Critically, investigators allege he remained silent when a police helicopter flew overhead at 10.50pm. Alpine Police say they attempted to contact him multiple times, finally making contact at 12.35am—nearly four hours after the pair were stranded. Following this call, Plamberger reportedly did not contact rescue services again and had his phone on silent.
It was not until 3.30am, after he had left his partner, that he decided to contact rescue services. By then, it was too late. Kerstin Gurtner had frozen to death.
Legal Proceedings and Emotional Tributes
In a statement, prosecutors emphasised Plamberger's role as the experienced guide, holding him responsible for the tour's planning and safety. "The woman froze to death," they stated. "Since the defendant, unlike his girlfriend, was already very experienced with alpine high-altitude tours and had planned the tour, he was to be considered the responsible guide."
Through his lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, Plamberger has denied the accusations of manslaughter by gross negligence. He maintains that he left to get help and describes Kerstin's death as a "tragic, fateful accident". His trial is scheduled to begin in February, and if convicted, he faces up to three years in prison.
Friends of Kerstin have paid heartfelt tributes on her social media. One wrote, "Rest in peace in heaven," while another shared, "Behind the tears of sorrow lies the smile of remembrance." A third simply stated, "We still think of you so often," reflecting the profound loss felt by those who knew her.
