A man accused of leaving his girlfriend stranded on a mountain where she tragically froze to death is now facing trial. Thomas Plamberger, 39, denies the charge of manslaughter in the case. He claimed that his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, instructed him to leave her at the top of Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner, where she later perished just 150ft below the summit in January 2024 amidst temperatures dropping to a chilling -20C.
Plamberger could potentially face a three-year prison sentence if found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. Prosecutors allege that he lacked essential emergency equipment and delayed contacting rescue services after abandoning his girlfriend on the mountain in severe conditions.
Senior Public Prosecutor Hansjorg Mayr stated that the defendant left his girlfriend in a vulnerable state near the summit cross of Grossglockner in the early morning hours, leading to her tragic demise. During the trial, Plamberger emphasized that he was not a professional mountaineer but rather an amateur enthusiast who had self-taught climbing skills.
Despite the accusations, Kerstin’s mother has defended Plamberger, stating that her daughter willingly participated in the mountain excursion and that both individuals were adequately prepared for the nighttime climb. She argued that Plamberger should not be solely held accountable for the tragic incident.
Webcam footage captured the climbers’ progress on the mountain, showing their head torches dimming as they ascended. Kerstin struggled with inadequate footwear and harsh weather conditions, eventually succumbing to exhaustion and hypothermia as darkness fell.
Plamberger allegedly descended the mountain alone to seek help, leaving Kerstin exposed to the elements without proper shelter. Rescue teams faced challenging conditions before locating Kerstin lifeless beneath the summit cross the following day.
This tragic incident highlights the importance of proper preparation and safety measures when engaging in mountain activities to prevent such devastating outcomes.
