A German man has been charged with manslaughter after his girlfriend tragically froze to death during a climb on Austria's highest peak, with prosecutors alleging a series of catastrophic failures.
The Fatal Ascent of Grossglockner
On 18 January 2025, Thomas Plamberger, 36, and his partner Kerstin Gurtner, 33, set out to scale the formidable 12,460-foot Grossglockner mountain. The expedition turned deadly when Gurtner, who was on her first high-altitude tour, began to struggle a mere 50 metres from the summit.
Authorities state that while Plamberger was a very experienced climber, Gurtner was not. Crucially, she was wearing soft snow boots deemed entirely inappropriate for the severe conditions of the winter climb.
A Night of Alleged Negligence and Delay
The couple became stranded high on the mountain at 8.50pm. According to the prosecution, Plamberger failed to issue a distress call or contact emergency services at this critical juncture. Officials revealed they tried to call his mobile multiple times, but he only answered at 12.35am.
The most damning allegation is that Plamberger left his girlfriend alone at around 2am. Prosecutors state Gurtner was "unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented" when he departed. It is claimed he did not finally alert the emergency services until 3.30am.
Charges and Aftermath
Rescuers discovered Kerstin Gurtner's body the following day. She had been exposed to temperatures plunging to -20°C overnight. The public prosecutor's office in Innsbruck has now formally charged Thomas Plamberger with manslaughter and gross negligence.
The charges centre on the series of critical errors he is accused of making, which allegedly directly led to Gurtner's horrific death from hypothermia. The case highlights the grave responsibilities and necessary preparations for winter mountaineering, especially when involving less experienced individuals.
