Austrian Climber Convicted After Partner Freezes on Grossglockner
A court convicted a 37-year-old of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died near the Grossglockner summit; he received a five-month suspended sentence and a €9,600 fine.
Overview
An Innsbruck state court on Feb. 19 convicted 37-year-old Thomas Plamberger of gross negligent manslaughter and gave him a five-month suspended sentence and a €9,600 fine, according to court reports.
Plamberger was found guilty after his 33-year-old girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, froze to death during a Jan. 19, 2025, ascent of the 3,798-meter Grossglockner, roughly 50 meters (160 to 164 feet) below the summit, prosecutors said.
Judge Norbert Hofer said Plamberger misjudged the situation and failed in his leadership responsibility but did not act wilfully, and the defendant told the court he was "endlessly sorry," court accounts said.
Prosecutors said Plamberger erred in planning, equipment and phone use, and the Austrian Alpine Safety Board reported about 8,400 accidents and roughly 250 to 300 deaths yearly in the mountains.
The verdict can be appealed within three days, with written submissions due within four weeks, court statements said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this report neutrally: they stick to factual court details, include direct quotes from the judge and defendant as source content, and report sentence, charges and appeal rights. Language avoids editorializing and provides both prosecution and defense perspectives, with limited omission of broader context like family reaction or expert analysis.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Judge Norbert Hofer ruled that Plamberger, as a highly experienced climber, misjudged the situation and failed in his leadership responsibility. Prosecutors argued that Plamberger erred in planning the expedition, inadequate equipment selection, and failure to use his phone to call emergency services. The judge also determined that Gurtner was not experienced enough to navigate the hostile winter conditions and that the couple should have turned around earlier.
When asked why he did not call emergency services, Plamberger stated: "It was an absolutely exceptional situation. Kerstin had no strength left, so I secured her to the rock with a rope and then climbed down." He claimed the extreme conditions had taken them by surprise, though his testimony contradicted previous statements to police where he described himself as leading and planning the trek.[1]
Plamberger received a five-month suspended sentence and a fine of €9,600 (approximately $15,165), despite facing a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment for gross negligent manslaughter. The judge considered Plamberger's clean criminal record and the loss of a person close to him as mitigating factors, and noted that Plamberger did not act willfully but rather misjudged the situation.
The Austrian Alpine Safety Board reported approximately 8,400 accidents and roughly 250 to 300 deaths yearly in the mountains. This case highlights critical safety failures in expedition planning, leadership responsibility, and emergency response. Judge Hofer, himself an avid climber and mountain rescuer, emphasized that experienced climbers have a duty to ensure proper planning and equipment for less experienced partners.
Yes, the verdict can be appealed within three days of the court's decision on February 19, 2026, with written submissions due within four weeks. This allows Plamberger's legal team time to prepare a comprehensive appeal if they choose to challenge the conviction.[3]
History
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