Mountaineer Charged in Girlfriend’s Death on Grossglockner Peak
KLAGENFURT, Austria – An Austrian mountaineer is facing manslaughter charges after his girlfriend died of exposure on Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, in January. Teh 36-year-old man, from salzburg, allegedly abandoned the 33-year-old woman as she suffered from exhaustion just 45 meters from the 3,798-meter summit.
the incident unfolded on the evening of January 18th.According to prosecutors, the man left his girlfriend at approximately 9 p.m. stating he would seek help, but was gone for over six hours. She succumbed to the cold before rescuers could reach her.
Evidence gathered includes webcam footage showing the pair ascending with their headlamps around 6 p.m. later images revealed a diminishing light source where the woman remained, while the man’s light was seen descending the mountain. A subsequent search effort,hampered by strong winds,was launched the following morning with helicopters,but was ultimately unsuccessful. A ground rescue team reached the woman at 7 a.m., confirming her death.
Investigators allege the man committed nine critical errors,including a delayed distress signal.A helicopter passed overhead at 10:50 p.m., yet authorities weren’t alerted until 12:35 a.m., after which the man reportedly ceased responding to calls from the rescue service.
He now faces up to three years in prison if convicted of manslaughter and negligence. His trial is scheduled to begin in February.
