Man goes on trial for ‘leaving girlfriend to freeze to death’ on top of mountain

A man accused of leaving his girlfriend to 'freeze to death' on a mountain has gone on trial for gross negligence manslaughter.

Last January, climber Thomas Plamberger and his partner, Kerstin Gurtner, were hiking up Austria's 12,460-foot tall Großglockner mountain when they ran into difficulties near the summit.

39-year-old Plamberger, an experienced climber had ultimately descended the mountain in order to get help for Gurtner who was struggling with the climb. However the 33-year-old would ultimately succumb to exposure while she waited in freezing temperatures.

Plamberger has since been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, with his authorities alleging he made nine fatal mistakes which resulted in him failing in his duty of care towards Gurtner.

According to a report from The Times, the nine errors a court near Innsbruck, Austria has accused Plamberger of include: setting off too late in the day, leaving Gurtner 'exhausted, hypothermic and disorientated' in an exposed area where windchill meant the temperature reached as low as -20°C and failing to signal for help while on the mountain.

Kerstin died on 19 January 2025 after climbing mountain with her boyfriend (Kerstin Gurtner Memorial)

He has since denied all accusations against him – previously claiming the pair made a pact before separating on the mountain.

"My client is deeply saddened by the death of his partner. He wishes to express his profound condolences, especially to the family of the deceased," Kurt Jelinek, the head of Plamberger's legal counsel, said in a statement.

His legal team have also argued for the criminal case to be dropped, calling Gurtner's death a 'tragic accident'.

Gurtner's mother has also spoken out in support of Plamberger, calling the trial a 'witch hunt' against her daughter's partner.

"It makes me angry that Kerstin is being portrayed as a naïve little thing who let herself be dragged up the mountain," Gertraud Gertner told German outlet Die Zeit.

"And I think it's unfair how Kerstin's boyfriend is being treated. There's a witch hunt against him in the media and online."

(Amith Nag Photography/ Getty Images)

Gertraud also told the outlet that her daughter and Plamberger would agree on routes they'd take before setting off on an expedition.

"One thing is certain for me: My daughter's death was the result of a tragic chain of unfortunate circumstances."

I don't want to blame my daughter's boyfriend for it," she added.

If convicted, Plamberger could face up three years in prison.

The case could also became a landmark in rules regarding mountaineering, suggesting climbers could become liable for potential injuries and fatalities of companions, even if they are not working in a professional capacity.