A man is facing charges of manslaughter due to gross negligence for allegedly abandoning his girlfriend on a frigid mountain without promptly contacting emergency services, according to officials. Thomas Plamberger, 36, and his partner Kerstin Gurtner, 33, were climbing Austria’s highest peak, the 12,460ft Grossglockner mountain, when Kerstin encountered difficulties near the summit. Tragically, she succumbed to the harsh -20C conditions while Plamberger sought help, leaving her unattended, exhausted, and hypothermic.
Investigators claim that Plamberger delayed contacting emergency services for several hours following the incident. Despite encountering problems around 8.50pm, he reportedly failed to seek help or signal distress promptly. Additionally, he allegedly remained silent when a police helicopter passed overhead at 10.50pm. It was not until around 12.35am, nearly four hours after the initial distress, that Plamberger finally communicated with Alpine Police.
Subsequently, Plamberger allegedly contacted rescue services at 3.30am, abandoning his helpless girlfriend approximately 50m below the mountain’s summit. Prosecutors noted that while Plamberger was an experienced climber, Kerstin lacked experience, and it was her first high-altitude mountain trek. The pair had set off two hours later than planned and lacked adequate emergency gear. Kerstin wore inappropriate snow boots for the excursion, which may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
Through his attorney, Kurt Jelinek, Plamberger refuted the accusations, claiming he left to seek assistance and characterized Kerstin’s death as a “tragic accident.” Plamberger is set to face trial in February and could receive a prison sentence of up to three years if convicted.
Friends of Kerstin expressed their grief and remembrance on her social media page, offering heartfelt tributes in her honor. The emotional responses reflected the impact of her untimely passing.