A 37-year-old amateur mountaineer was found guilty of negligent homicide after leaving his girlfriend behind on Austria's highest peak to seek help during a difficult climb.
A 37-year-old amateur mountaineer, Thomas P, has been convicted of negligent homicide for abandoning his girlfriend during a challenging ascent on Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner. This decision comes after the tragic accident in January 2025, where his girlfriend lost her life while he went down the mountain to seek help. The court in Innsbruck sentenced him to five months in prison, suspended, and fined him €9,400 ($11,100), indicative of how seriously the legal system takes such cases of negligence in mountaineering activities.
The case drew international attention from the global climbing community, as it marks a rare instance of prosecution for accidents that occur during climbing. Experts are concerned that this ruling could set a precedent that impacts liability standards in mountain sports. The trial, which only lasted a day, highlighted the controversial issue of personal responsibility between climbers and the inherent dangers of mountaineering.
Following the verdict, Thomas P expressed his sorrow, maintaining his innocence during the proceedings. The ruling raises questions about what constitutes negligence in mountaineering and whether climbers should be held legally accountable for the decisions made in life-threatening situations. The outcome may influence future climbing regulations and climbers' conduct around rescue efforts in critical moments on difficult climbs.
