Austria: Mountaineer Guilty of Manslaughter in Girlfriend’s Death on Grossglockner

An Austrian man has been found guilty of manslaughter after his girlfriend died of hypothermia near the summit of Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, in January 2025. Thomas P., 37, received a five-month suspended sentence and a fine of €9,400 ($11,100) on Thursday, February 19, 2026, for gross negligence in the death of his 33-year-old girlfriend, whose name has not been released.

The case, heard in Innsbruck, is unusual for Austria, where prosecutions following mountain climbing accidents are rare, despite an average of 8,400 accidents and 250-300 deaths annually in the Austrian mountains, according to the Austrian Alpine Safety Board.

The court heard that the couple had fallen behind schedule during their ascent. The woman became exhausted approximately 50 meters (54 yards) below the 3,798-meter (12,460-foot) summit and was unable to continue. Thomas P. Left her alone to seek support after midnight and she subsequently froze to death in harsh weather conditions.

Prosecutors argued that Thomas P. Made a series of critical errors. He did not wrap the woman in an emergency blanket or bivouac bag, despite these items being in her backpack. When questioned about this omission, he cited the stressful nature of the situation, according to court testimony. His initial call to mountain police failed to clearly convey the urgency of a rescue situation, and he did not respond to follow-up calls or messages from authorities.

Thomas P. Claimed his phone was switched to airplane mode to conserve battery power.

The trial also explored the question of liability in high-altitude mountaineering, specifically whether climbers generally assume their own risk. The prosecution successfully argued that Thomas P. Was effectively acting as a mountain guide, given his greater experience, and therefore had a heightened duty of care towards his companion.

Presiding Judge Norbert Hofer, himself an experienced mountaineer, stated that Thomas P. Should have recognized his girlfriend’s inability to complete the climb much earlier in the ascent. “I do not see you as a murderer. I do not see you as cold-hearted,” Hofer said during the sentencing, acknowledging that Thomas P. Had intended to seek help. However, he emphasized the significant disparity in mountaineering skill between the two individuals, stating that the woman had implicitly placed her trust in his expertise.

“What I wish to say is that I am so terribly sorry,” Thomas P. Told the court.

The case highlights the complex legal considerations surrounding responsibility and safety in challenging alpine environments. The ruling may set a precedent for future cases involving negligence in mountain climbing incidents in Austria.