"Prosecutors say Kerstin G's boyfriend left her defenceless, exhausted, hypothermic and disoriented about 50 metres from the summit while he scrambled to get help, after a series of errors that would prove catastrophic. The prosecution argues that Thomas P, as the far more experienced alpinist, was, in effect, the guide on the two-person tour and therefore bore responsibility for the safety of them both."
"They say the fateful mistakes included insufficient planning, clothing and equipment, a failure to turn back despite hostile weather conditions with icy winds of up to 74 kmph, and a decision not to alert rescue teams to their plight as soon as it became apparent during the night. If convicted, the defendant faces three years' imprisonment. Thomas P told the court his partner was also an enthusiastic mountain climber and physically very fit."
A trial opened in Innsbruck against a 37-year-old Austrian mountaineer identified as Thomas P on a charge of gross negligent manslaughter over the hypothermic death of his 33-year-old partner Kerstin G near the Groglockner summit. Prosecutors allege he abandoned her about 50 metres from the summit while he scrambled to get help after a series of errors and that he, as the more experienced alpinist, bore responsibility. Alleged failures include insufficient planning, clothing and equipment, continuing despite hostile weather with icy winds up to 74 kmph, and not alerting rescue teams promptly. The defendant denies criminal wrongdoing, says decisions were made jointly, expresses endless sorrow, and faces up to three years' imprisonment if convicted.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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