19.02.2026 08:50
The death of 33-year-old Kerstin G., who died of hypothermia on Grossglockner Mountain, has been brought to court. Climber Thomas P., who is alleged to have left his exhausted girlfriend at a point near the summit to seek help, will face charges of causing death through gross negligence. Prosecutors argue that the defendant made nine separate fatal mistakes from the outset.
The trial regarding the death of 33-year-old Kerstin G., who lost her life due to hypothermia on Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, will begin on February 19. The young woman's boyfriend, Thomas P., will face charges of "causing death by gross negligence."
Kerstin G., who died during a winter ascent of the 3,798-meter-high Grossglockner, has drawn significant attention not only in Austria but also in the international mountaineering community. Prosecutors argue that Thomas P., described as an experienced climber, was the person who planned and managed the tour, and therefore should be considered the "responsible guide of the tour."
ALLEGATION: TOOK HER ON A CHALLENGING TOUR DESPITE INEXPERIENCE According to the indictment, Thomas P. organized the climb in challenging winter conditions despite his girlfriend's lack of experience in high-altitude Alpine tours of this length and difficulty. Prosecutors claim that the defendant made nine separate mistakes from the outset.
Among these mistakes are leaving two hours late, not taking sufficient emergency camp equipment, and allowing Kerstin G. to wear unsuitable soft snowboard boots for a ski tour in rugged terrain at high altitude. Prosecutors also note that no decision was made to turn back despite winds reaching 74 kilometers per hour and an air temperature of minus 8 degrees (feels like minus 20 degrees).
DEFENSE: A TRAGIC ACCIDENT The defendant, referred to as Thomas P. in the Austrian press, denies the charges. His lawyer, Karl Jelinek, describes the events as "a tragic accident." Jelinek states that the couple planned the climb together and both considered themselves sufficiently experienced and equipped. According to the lawyer, both had the necessary Alpine experience and their physical condition was quite good.
This frame taken from webcam footage shows the couple still climbing at 21:00 on January 18. WHAT HAPPENED IN CRITICAL HOURS? According to the prosecution, the couple became stranded on the mountain on the evening of January 18. It is alleged that Thomas P. did not call the police around 20:50 and did not send any distress signal to the police helicopter that passed over them at 22:50.
The defendant claims he called the mountain police at 00:35 on January 19. While the content of the conversation remains unclear, his lawyer states that he requested help. The police, however, allege that the defendant later silenced his phone and did not respond to incoming calls.
LEFT HIS EXHAUSTED GIRLFRIEND TO DIE According to the defense, the couple reached about 40 meters below the cross symbolizing the summit. When Kerstin G. became too exhausted to move, Thomas P. left her to find help and ascended to the summit, starting to descend from the other side. Prosecutors state that the defendant left the young woman alone around 02:00.
Webcam footage clearly shows Thomas P. descending from the summit with a flashlight in hand. ALLEGATION: DID NOT USE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT The prosecution claims that Thomas P. did not use equipment such as an aluminum rescue blanket to protect his girlfriend from the cold and waited until 03:30 to inform the emergency services. Due to severe winds, a rescue operation by helicopter could not be conducted throughout the night. Kerstin G. died on the frozen mountainside.
COULD BE A PRECEDENT-SETTING CASE If Thomas P. is found guilty, he could face up to three years in prison. The outcome of the case could set an important precedent regarding how the boundary between individual risk in mountain sports and criminal liability is drawn. The decision is expected to affect the scope of legal responsibilities that climbers have towards each other on tours they undertake together in the future.