Austrian Climber Faces Manslaughter Trial After Girlfriend Death

(MENAFN) An Austrian climber has appeared before a court, charged with gross negligent manslaughter following the death of his girlfriend, who succumbed to hypothermia during a treacherous winter ascent of Grossglockner — the country's highest peak — more than a year ago, media reported Wednesday.

Prosecutors contend that the defendant, named by Austrian media as Thomas P, abandoned 33-year-old Kerstin G in a state they describe as "unprotected and exhausted" near the mountain's summit amid violent storm conditions in the early hours of Jan. 19, 2025, while he descended to seek assistance.

Thomas P has rejected the accusations outright. His attorney, Karl Jelinek, characterized the tragedy as "a tragic accident."

State prosecutors based in Innsbruck maintain that the defendant bore the primary duty of care for the expedition, arguing he should be regarded as the "responsible guide for the tour" given his considerably greater mountaineering experience and his role in organizing the climb.

The prosecution has outlined a string of alleged missteps. These include departing two hours behind schedule, neglecting to carry adequate emergency bivouac equipment, and permitting his girlfriend to wear "snowboard soft boots, equipment that is not suitable for a high-altitude tour in mixed terrain." Authorities further contend he should have aborted the mission well before conditions deteriorated, citing gusts of up to 74 km/h (45 mph), temperatures plunging to minus 8C (17F), and a wind chill factor of minus 20C (minus 4F).

The defense, however, offers a sharply different account. Jelinek argued that the climb was a mutually planned endeavor, asserting the couple had "considered themselves … to be sufficiently experienced, adequately prepared, and well equipped," and emphasizing that both possessed "relevant Alpine experience" and were "in very good physical condition."

A critical dispute between both sides centers on the timeline of events. Prosecutors allege the pair became stranded at approximately 8:50 p.m. local time and that Thomas P failed to alert emergency services or signal a police helicopter that passed overhead. The defense counters that the couple still felt capable at that point and remained in close proximity to the summit.

According to the defense, Kerstin G displayed sudden and severe signs of exhaustion only later that night, prompting the defendant to contact mountain rescue authorities around 30 minutes past midnight. Prosecutors, however, claim he did not abandon her until approximately 2 a.m. and withheld notification from emergency services until 3:30 a.m. Rescue teams were ultimately grounded overnight, unable to navigate the punishing winds to reach the stricken climbers.

Kerstin G was subsequently discovered dead on the mountainside. Should the court find Thomas P guilty, he faces a maximum prison sentence of three years.

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