A climber has been convicted of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died on Austria's highest mountain. Thomas Plamberger, 37, received a five-month suspended sentence and a significant fine for the death of Kerstin Gurtner, 33, last year.
The couple were attempting to summit the Grossglockner in the Austrian Alps when they encountered difficulties. Plamberger, described as a highly experienced climber, was found responsible for their safety. The prosecution argued he left his girlfriend in a vulnerable state, suffering from disorientation and hypothermia, after making a series of errors including inadequate planning and insufficient gear for freezing conditions. He also failed to alert rescue teams promptly.
Plamberger, who pleaded not guilty, expressed deep remorse, stating he loved Gurtner and did not intend for anything to happen to her. He contended that they planned the climb together and decisions were made jointly. However, previous statements indicated he considered himself to be leading the expedition. The court acknowledged Plamberger's clean record and the personal loss he suffered as mitigating factors but ruled he displayed poor judgment. The judge stated he did not perceive Plamberger as a murderer or cold-hearted, but emphasized the couple should have turned back due to the girlfriend's insufficient experience for the harsh winter conditions.
