05.12.2025 15:00
A woman climbing Austria's Grossglockner Mountain became exhausted just 50 meters from the summit, was abandoned by her partner, and died from exposure. The prosecutor's office has filed charges against the 36-year-old male climber for "manslaughter due to gross negligence," citing a series of serious lapses, including taking the wrong route, a late emergency call, inadequate equipment, and leaving the woman unprotected, with a request for up to three years in prison.
A tragic incident occurred on Austria's highest peak, Grossglockner. According to camera footage, a 33-year-old woman, who was climbing with her partner, became exhausted just 50 meters from the summit and could not proceed. The experienced male climber, it is said, made wrong decisions for hours, leaving the young woman to die.
HELP DID NOT ARRIVE FOR HOURS
During the climb, the emergency lights used by the couple began to flash at 6:00 PM. However, after six hours, the woman became weak, the lights' battery drained, and help did not arrive. In footage recorded at 2:30 AM, the male climber was seen leaving his girlfriend in the snow and attempting to descend the mountain alone.
WOMAN FOUND FROZEN IN THE MORNING
At 7:10 AM, a rescue helicopter scanning the area could not land due to strong winds, and the operation was canceled. About three hours later, teams climbing from the ground found the woman frozen.
PROSECUTION: MULTIPLE NEGLIGENCE, WRONG DECISIONS, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT
The prosecution announced a comprehensive list of negligence against the 36-year-old male climber:
- He left his girlfriend, who was suffering from hypothermia, unprotected just 50 meters from the summit.
- He planned the wrong route for the inexperienced woman.
- The climb started two hours late.
- Insufficient emergency equipment was carried.
- He did not move the woman to a sheltered spot from the wind while seeking help; he did not use a bivy bag or emergency blanket.
- He allowed the woman to ascend to high altitude with a splitboard and soft snow boots.
- Despite harsh weather conditions, he did not turn back and continued the climb.
- He did not make an emergency call after they became stranded at 8:50 PM.
- He did not signal to the helicopter that passed over them at 10:50 PM.
- He responded late to police searches; he missed many calls because his phone was on silent.
The prosecution stated that this chain of decisions led to the young woman's death.
"IT WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT" DEFENSE
The defendant's lawyer claimed that his client was deeply saddened and argued that the incident was a "tragic accident." The case will be heard at the Innsbruck Regional Court on February 19, 2026.