Thomas Plamberger, a 36-year-old man, faces serious charges after the tragic death of his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, aged 33, on Austria’s Grossglockner mountain in January 2023. He is accused of leaving her to freeze to death while descending the peak alone, despite her being in a vulnerable state.
Prosecutors allege that Plamberger abandoned Gurtner approximately 50 metres below the summit cross. At that time, she was reportedly exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented in the dark. The couple was not adequately prepared for the harsh conditions, with Gurtner wearing soft snowboarding boots, unsuitable for the mixed terrain at high altitudes.
Plamberger, an experienced mountaineer, is being held legally responsible as the tour’s guide. He failed to pack essential emergency equipment, such as a bivouac sack or aluminum rescue blankets, which could have provided protection against freezing temperatures with a wind chill of -20°C.
Timeline of Events
The situation escalated when Plamberger allegedly did not call emergency services in a timely manner. He remained silent as a police helicopter flew overhead at 22:50, despite the pair having been stranded since around 20:50. According to reports from the Alpine Police, Plamberger only communicated with an officer at approximately 00:35, almost four hours after they became stranded. It was not until 03:30 that he notified rescue services of their situation, after he had already left Gurtner alone.
Gurtner, who described herself as a “mountain person,” had significantly less climbing experience compared to her boyfriend. Despite this, Plamberger is accused of encouraging her to continue their ascent in difficult conditions. The hike began about two hours later than scheduled, and while webcam footage captured their progress at 18:00, visibility diminished as their headlamp batteries ran low later in the night.
By 02:30, it is alleged that Plamberger decided to leave Gurtner and descended the Grossglockner alone. His actions have led to charges of manslaughter by gross negligence, which could result in a prison sentence of up to three years if he is convicted.
Legal Proceedings and Denial of Charges
Plamberger has denied the allegations through his lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, stating that he left to seek help. He characterized Gurtner’s death as a “tragic, fateful accident.” The trial is set to commence in February 2024, where the court will examine the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the dangers of mountain climbing and the importance of proper preparation and equipment. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus will remain on the responsibilities of experienced climbers and the measures necessary to ensure safety in such unforgiving environments.
