Kerstin G's boyfriend is accused of leaving her unprotected and exhausted close to the summit during a blizzard.

More than a year after a 33-year-old woman froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain, her boyfriend goes on trial on Thursday accused of gross negligent manslaughter.

Kerstin G died of hypothermia on a mountain climbing trip to the Grossglockner that went horribly wrong. Her boyfriend is accused of leaving her unprotected and exhausted close to the summit in stormy conditions in the early hours of 19 January 2025, while he went to get help.

The trial has sparked interest and debate, not just in Austria but in mountain climbing communities far beyond its borders.

  • Derpenheim@lemmy.zipEnglish
    128·
    3 days ago

    I think the combination of his refusing to continue communication with emergency services and waiting nearly 3 hours before requesting emergency aid is what makes this criminal negligence.

    The stupidity on display, while impressive, I dont think is criminal in and of itself. A certain amount of risk and consequence can be expected of such an excursion.

    • Buddahriffic@lemmy.worldEnglish
      14·
      2 days ago

      That “refusing to continue communication” might have even just been “couldn’t hear or feel vibrations from incoming calls”. It’s also possible he thought they weren’t being helpful and decided it was a waste of time to rely on them (all depends on how that initial call went, though the fact that they say he didn’t ask for help but he says he did could suggest a communication breakdown or tone mismatch).

      It did sound like he was unprepared for how to handle such an emergency if they didn’t even use the warming gear they had. But the question is at what point does unpreparedness become criminal and did he really have extra responsibility for her safety even if he thought they were equally experienced, or that she was at least experienced enough to handle her own safety? Unless the defense is lying completely, it sounds like the prosecution isn’t approaching this in good faith and might be seeking revenge instead of justice.

      • philpo@feddit.orgEnglish
        2·
        15 hours ago

        They had a helicopter overhead and he refused help and pushed upwards (which He had direct communications with a mountain policeman and turned help down.

        There are multiple warning signs to turn back if you haven’t passed this point by X time. They were multiple hours late AND in adhorent conditions.

        And yes, if there is a criminal law provision in Austrian (as well as German law), that gives people a duty to protect the ones with lesser ability to protect themselves in certain situations.

        So the sentencing is totally right

      • Derpenheim@lemmy.zipEnglish
        5·
        2 days ago

        I dont really have a good argument one way or the other. Im just glad I’m not part of deciding it