Climber on Trial in Austria Accused of Negligent Manslaughter in Girlfriend’s Mountain Death
INNSBRUCK, Austria – – The trial of Thomas Plamberger, an experienced Alpine climber, began today in Innsbruck, Austria, with the 36-year-old accused of negligent manslaughter following the death of his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, on Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak. Gurtner, 33, died of hypothermia in January 2025 after Plamberger reportedly left her alone near the summit in stormy conditions.
The prosecution alleges that Plamberger, as the more experienced climber and the planner of the ascent, was responsible for Gurtner’s safety and failed to act appropriately when she began to struggle with exhaustion and disorientation approximately 50 meters from the 3,798-meter (12,460ft) summit. According to the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office, Plamberger descended to seek help at around 2:00 AM on , returning six and a half hours later to find Gurtner had succumbed to the elements.
The case has sparked considerable debate within mountain climbing communities and beyond, raising questions about the limits of personal responsibility and risk-taking in extreme sports. Prosecutors have outlined nine alleged errors made by Plamberger, arguing that he should have turned back or called for assistance sooner. They maintain he failed to adequately assess the deteriorating conditions and prioritize his girlfriend’s well-being.
Plamberger denies the charges, and his lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, has described Gurtner’s death as a “tragic accident.” The defense is expected to argue that the situation unfolded rapidly and that Plamberger acted reasonably under difficult circumstances. According to reports, the defense has previously challenged aspects of the prosecution’s timeline.
The tragedy unfolded after the couple began their climb of Grossglockner. Gurtner was exposed to temperatures as low as -8°C (17.6°F) with winds reaching up to 45 mph, creating a “feel like” temperature of -20°C (-4°F). Plamberger reportedly called Alpine police at 1:35 AM and began his descent to seek help approximately 30 minutes later. He was spotted by a mountain trail camera descending from the peak at 2:30 AM.
Prior to the trial, Plamberger posted a message on social media expressing his grief, stating, “I miss you so much. It hurts so incredibly much. Forever in my heart. Without you, time is meaningless.” He also reportedly co-signed an obituary penned by Gurtner’s parents.
The trial is expected to focus on whether Plamberger’s actions constituted gross negligent manslaughter. The question at the heart of the case, as noted by Austria’s Der Standard newspaper, is whether a guilty verdict could represent “a paradigm shift for mountain sports,” potentially setting a precedent for criminal liability in similar situations.
Norbert Hofer, one of the judges presiding over the case, is described as an empathetic expert on mountain environments, potentially bringing a nuanced understanding to the complexities of the situation. The outcome of the trial is being closely watched by mountaineering communities, with implications for how future expeditions are planned and conducted, and how responsibility is assigned in the face of tragedy.
The investigation, which lasted eleven months, involved examining the couple’s mobile phones, sports watches, photographs, and an independent report from an Alpine mountaineering expert. Prosecutors allege Plamberger did not make an emergency call or signal for help when a police helicopter flew nearby, two hours before he contacted authorities.
