Climber who ‘abandoned’ girlfriend on mountain found guilty of manslaughter

Climber who ‘abandoned’ girlfriend on mountain found guilty of manslaughter

A climber accused of abandoning his girlfriend on Austria’s highest mountain has been convicted of manslaughter.

Thomas Plamberger, 39, was found guilty by a court in Innsbruck over the death of Kerstin Gurtner, 33, who died on Grossglockner in January last year after being left alone in extreme conditions. Gurtner died just 150ft below the 12,640ft summit of Grossglockner during a night when temperatures plunged to minus 20°C. Prosecutors told the court that Plamberger left her “unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic and disoriented” in darkness while he descended alone to seek help.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that as an experienced high-altitude mountaineer who had planned the tour, Plamberger was the “responsible guide of the tour.” In a statement, the Innsbruck prosecutor’s office said: “At approximately 2am, the defendant left his girlfriend unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented about 50 meters below the summit cross of the Grossglockner.

“The woman froze to death. 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 of the tour.”

The court heard that the couple began their ascent on January 19 but set off two hours later than planned. Weather conditions were harsh, with winds of up to 46mph making temperatures of minus 8°C feel closer to minus 20°C.

Webcam footage from the mountain showed two lights near the summit at around 6pm. The pair were stranded from approximately 8.50pm, and by 2am only one light could be seen moving away from the summit area. Mountain rescue teams were unable to reach the site overnight due to severe weather. Gurtner’s body was discovered by helicopter at around 10am the following morning.

Prosecutors also alleged that the couple were inadequately equipped, stating Gurtner wore snowboard soft boots instead of proper mountaineering footwear. They further argued that Plamberger failed to place her in a wind-sheltered position, use aluminium rescue blankets or deploy a bivvy bag before leaving her.

Plamberger denied the allegations, describing the events through his lawyer as a “tragic, fateful incident.” He told the court: “I am incredibly sorry,” adding that he had “loved” Gurtner and that they had “always planned their tours together.” His defence argued that Gurtner urged him to leave and seek help after he had remained with her for more than an hour in freezing conditions.

However, Judge Norbert Hofer said Plamberger’s account did not align with how Gurtner’s body was found. The court was shown a photograph indicating she had fallen and was found hanging from a rope. Evidence suggested she had been suspended for approximately two hours before her death.

The head of the mountain rescue team testified that it appeared Gurtner had attempted to descend alone before falling. Plamberger was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, and ordered to pay a €9,600 fine.

Grossglockner, located in central-west Austria, is considered a demanding alpine ascent requiring ropes, crampons and ice axes, with climbers crossing glacier terrain known for hidden crevasses.

Hundreds of tributes were paid to Gurtner following her death. A funeral notice posted online read: “Our lives are in God’s hands; if it is His will, then do not grieve for me. But remember me with love.”