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Climber Appeals Sentence After Girlfriend's Freezing Death
24 Feb
Summary
- Climber and prosecutors appeal suspended sentence and fine.
- Girlfriend died of cold after climber left her to find help.
- Court cited gross negligence and duty of care in conviction.
An Austrian climber, Thomas P, and prosecutors are appealing a suspended sentence and fine for manslaughter concerning his girlfriend Kerstin G's death. The couple was climbing Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, in January of last year when she collapsed from exhaustion.
Thomas P left Kerstin G in a shelter to seek help but failed to clearly communicate their need to mountain police. He also did not respond to police calls. By the time rescuers arrived hours later, Kerstin G had died from hypothermia.
The Innsbruck court convicted Thomas P of causing death by gross negligence, citing his duty of care as the more experienced mountaineer. He received a five-month suspended sentence and a 9,400 euro fine.
Both the defense and the prosecution have indicated their intention to appeal the conviction and sentence. Formal appeals must be submitted in writing within four weeks of receiving the court's written ruling.
