Thomas P, an Austrian climber, has been found guilty following the death of his girlfriend from hypothermia on Grossglockner Mountain

Austrian climber Thomas P has been given a suspended sentence following the tragic death of his girlfriend, who froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain.

An Austrian climber, referred to as Thomas P to comply with privacy regulations, has been found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter following the tragic death of his girlfriend, who succumbed to the cold on Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, in January 2025. He received a suspended sentence of five months and was fined €9,600 (£8,400).

The court acknowledged Thomas P’s previously unblemished record and the significant personal loss he endured as factors that mitigated the situation. Judge Norbert Hofer, an experienced climber involved with mountain and helicopter rescue teams in Tyrol, highlighted that although Thomas P was exceptionally skilled, his girlfriend, Kerstin G, had significantly less experience in winter climbing conditions. The court determined that the couple ought to have retraced their steps prior to arriving at the summit.

During the trial, a former girlfriend of Thomas P testified that he had previously abandoned her on the Grossglockner in 2023 when she became exhausted and disoriented. The court was presented with vivid testimonies from rescuers regarding Kerstin’s body, discovered suspended upside down from a rock face, wearing open boots, lacking gloves, and still carrying her rucksack. Powerful winds reaching 74 km/h (45 mph) and frigid temperatures of -8°C, with a windchill factor dropping to -20°C, rendered the situation highly perilous.

Prosecutors contended that, as the more seasoned climber, Thomas P held the responsibility for ensuring the tour was conducted safely. It was reported that he did not call for help in a timely manner and failed to utilize the distress signals that were available when a police helicopter flew above. The prosecution alleges that Thomas P abandoned Kerstin near the summit and descended alone before authorities had the chance to step in.

Thomas P entered a plea of not guilty and conveyed profound regret for her passing. Kurt Jelinek, the lawyer, emphasized that Kerstin was athletic and conscious of the risks, noting that the couple encountered an unexpectedly challenging situation. The defense emphasized that during the initial delay in seeking assistance, the couple remained confident in their ability to reach the summit safely.

The case garnered considerable attention in Austria and among international climbing communities, igniting discussions about the boundaries between personal judgment, risk-taking, and criminal liability. Thomas P’s conviction may be appealed.