A tragic incident on the Grossglockner mountain in Austria has resulted in the death of a 33-year-old woman, identified as Kerstin Gutner. She reportedly succumbed to freezing temperatures after being left by her boyfriend, Thomas Plamberger, an experienced mountaineer. The couple was near the summit when the incident occurred on January 19, 2024.
The Innsbruck Public Prosecutor’s Office has stated that Gutner died less than 150 feet from the peak of Austria’s highest mountain, despite climbing together under challenging conditions. Prosecutors allege that Plamberger, 39, led Gutner, an inexperienced climber, through a nighttime trek in temperatures dropping to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Following the climb, he stands accused of negligent homicide.
According to the prosecutor’s statement, “At approximately 2:00 a.m., the defendant left his girlfriend unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented about 50 meters below the summit cross of the Grossglockner.” This abandonment is seen as critical, given Plamberger’s experience in high-altitude tours and the planning of the expedition.
The couple faced dire circumstances from 8:50 p.m. onwards when they became stranded. Despite seeing a police helicopter at 10:50 p.m., Plamberger did not make an emergency call or signal for help. Webcam images captured their camp site near the peak, where Gutner was later found deceased.
Plamberger reportedly called Alpine Police at 1:35 a.m. but then silenced his phone. Prosecutors claim that about thirty minutes later, he left Gutner without any protection from the elements, neglecting to use available emergency blankets. Surveillance footage at 2:30 a.m. showed him descending the mountain, while Gutner remained behind, in a perilous state.
The situation escalated further when Plamberger reportedly reached out to emergency services again at 3:30 a.m., indicating a lack of urgency earlier in the night. His legal representative, Kurt Jelinek, has asserted that the incident was a “tragic, fateful accident,” maintaining his client’s innocence.
Tributes and condolences have emerged on a memorial page for Gutner, with many expressing their sorrow and loss. One commenter wrote, “Rest in heavenly peace,” while another reflected on the difficulty of finding the right words to express their grief.
Plamberger was charged with negligent homicide on January 25, 2024, and is expected to stand trial in February. If convicted, he faces a potential prison sentence of up to three years. The case raises serious questions about responsibility and safety in extreme outdoor activities amidst increasingly dangerous conditions.
