A heartbreaking mountain tragedy that stunned climbers across Europe has resurfaced after the experienced mountaineer convicted over his girlfriend’s death revealed the final words she reportedly said before he left her behind in freezing conditions.
Thomas Plamberger was found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter after the January 2025 death of his partner, 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner, during an overnight climb on Austria’s Grossglockner, the country’s tallest mountain.
According to court findings, the couple were just meters from the summit when Gurtner collapsed from exhaustion and severe cold after hours of climbing through brutal winter weather. Temperatures reportedly dropped to around minus 20 degrees Celsius as winds intensified across the mountain ridge.
Plamberger later told investigators and the court that Gurtner’s final words to him were: “Go get help.”
That statement became central to his defense during the high-profile trial in Innsbruck. Prosecutors argued that despite her plea, Plamberger failed to take critical survival measures before leaving her alone on the mountain overnight. Rescue crews discovered Gurtner dead from hypothermia the next morning beneath the summit cross.
The case drew widespread attention because prosecutors claimed several decisions made during the climb may have worsened the outcome. Court testimony alleged the pair began the ascent too late in the day, ignored worsening weather conditions, and failed to properly signal rescuers despite helicopters reportedly flying nearby.
According to reporting from The Guardian, emergency equipment including an emergency blanket and bivouac bag were later found unused inside Gurtner’s backpack. Judges ultimately concluded that Plamberger, considered the more experienced climber, had a greater duty of care during the expedition.
The Innsbruck court sentenced him to a suspended five-month prison term and fined him €9,600.
The tragedy also sparked intense discussion within the mountaineering community about legal responsibility between climbing partners. Experts interviewed by several European outlets noted that criminal convictions connected to climbing accidents remain extremely rare, especially among non-commercial climbers.
Adding another emotional layer to the story, Gurtner’s mother publicly defended Plamberger during the proceedings. She insisted her daughter willingly chose to attempt the nighttime ascent and described her as someone deeply passionate about mountain climbing.
“She loved mountain hikes at sunrise and sunset,” her mother reportedly said during the case.
Grossglockner, which rises nearly 3,800 meters above sea level, is considered one of Austria’s most dangerous alpine peaks during winter conditions. The mountain attracts experienced climbers from across Europe, but sudden weather changes, freezing temperatures, and difficult terrain have contributed to multiple fatalities over the years.
The case has continued to divide public opinion online. While some believe Plamberger made catastrophic mistakes under pressure, others argue the conditions on the mountain created an impossible survival situation for both climbers.
What remains undisputed is that a climb intended to reach one of Europe’s most breathtaking summits ended in devastating loss, leaving behind questions that continue to haunt both the climbing world and everyone who followed the case.
