Overview
- The Innsbruck Attorney General’s Office has indicted Thomas Plamberger for manslaughter by gross negligence, a charge that carries up to three years in prison.
- Prosecutors cite a chain of negligent choices, including a late start, bringing a less-experienced partner, refusing a helicopter late at night, keeping his phone on silent, delaying distress calls, and allowing inadequate clothing and snowboard boots.
- Rescuers say a helicopter reached the pair after 10 p.m. and Plamberger declined evacuation, which he previously told police he did because they were fine and planned to continue.
- Accounts diverge over a 12:30 a.m. call: rescuers describe the exchange as unclear, while Plamberger says he asked for an airlift that was deemed impossible and later reported leaving to seek help around 3:30 a.m.
- Kerstin Gurtner was found a few meters below the summit the next morning and died of hypothermia in a blizzard, according to rescue teams.