A man in Austria has been charged with gross negligent manslaughter nearly a year after his girlfriend died during a hiking trip in the Alps. The couple were nearing the summit of Grossglockner when the woman became exhausted, and the man left her behind to seek help.
Couple’s Hike Ends in Tragedy on Grossglockner
The incident occurred on January 18th, as the 36-year-old man and 33-year-old woman, both from Salzburg, Austria, attempted a challenging route to the summit of Grossglockner, the tallest mountain in Austria. Prosecutors allege the man made a series of errors that led to his girlfriend’s death.
According to the man’s account, his girlfriend was struck by sudden exhaustion around midnight. He decided to continue alone to find help, a decision he and his lawyer claim was made in an attempt to save both their lives. He contacted police at 12:35 a.m., but prosecutors say he silenced his phone for three hours afterward and did not attempt further communication.
Rescuers found the woman’s frozen body the following morning near the summit. The man was found to be out of harm’s way.
Legal Debate and Rising Alpine Accidents
The case has sparked debate in Austria regarding personal responsibility and the legal concept of *Garantenstellung*, which establishes a duty of care between individuals. Prosecutors argue the man was responsible for his girlfriend’s death due to his experience and the planning of the trip.
They have outlined nine alleged errors, including insufficient emergency equipment, a late start, failure to turn back in worsening conditions, and allowing the woman to wear inappropriate footwear. They also state he did not adequately protect her before leaving, failing to provide her with a tent, emergency blankets, or remove her heavy backpack.
The man’s lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, maintains his client is deeply saddened by the loss and that both hikers were experienced and jointly planned the expedition. Jelinek declined to comment further this month.
Increase in Alpine Tourism and Risks
The Austrian Mountain Rescue Service has recorded a significant increase in accidents since 2021, with nearly 1,400 missions conducted in the summer of 2024 in the state of Tyrol, which includes Grossglockner. This rise is attributed to an influx of less-experienced visitors, including those seeking to view shrinking glaciers.
Mountain guide Herbert Wolf noted that recent clients often attempt climbs without proper acclimatization and disregard unfavorable weather conditions. He emphasized that leaving a partner on the mountain is unacceptable.
Tobias Huber, vice president of the Austrian Mountain Rescue Service, described the situation as an “Alpine Disneyland,” noting a trend of individuals taking greater risks, including hiking at night and seeking social media content.
The man’s trial is scheduled for February, where he could face up to three years in prison. The case raises fundamental questions about individual responsibility in dangerous situations, as Severin Glaser, a professor of criminal law at the University of Innsbruck, stated: “How much can you count on somebody’s responsibility for himself or herself? And how much are you liable for other people?”
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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