An Austrian climber, identified only as Thomas P in line with privacy laws, has been convicted of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, in January 2025. He was given a five-month suspended sentence and fined €9,600 (£8,400).
The court said it took into account Thomas P’s previously clean record and the profound personal loss he suffered as mitigating factors. Judge Norbert Hofer, an experienced climber who works with mountain and helicopter rescue teams in Tyrol, emphasized that while Thomas P was highly skilled, his girlfriend, Kerstin G, was far less experienced in winter climbing conditions. The court concluded that the couple should have turned back before reaching the summit.
During the trial, a former girlfriend of Thomas P testified that he had previously left her alone on the Grossglockner in 2023 when she became exhausted and disoriented. The court also heard graphic accounts from rescuers about Kerstin’s body, which was found hanging upside down from a rock face, with open boots, no gloves, and her rucksack still on. Strong winds of up to 74 km/h (45 mph) and temperatures of -8°C, with windchill down to -20°C, had made conditions extremely hazardous.
Prosecutors argued that as the more experienced climber, Thomas P bore responsibility for guiding the tour safely. They said he failed to call for help promptly and did not use available distress signals when a police helicopter passed overhead. According to prosecution claims, Thomas P left Kerstin behind near the summit, descending alone before authorities could intervene.
Thomas P pleaded not guilty and expressed deep sorrow for her death. His lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, stressed that Kerstin was sporty and aware of the risks, and that the couple faced an unexpectedly difficult situation. The defense also highlighted that at the time of the initial delay in calling for help, the couple still believed they could reach the summit safely.
The case attracted significant attention in Austria and international climbing communities, sparking debate over when personal judgment and risk-taking cross into criminal liability. Thomas P’s conviction is subject to appeal.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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