World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Austrian police investigate after climber leaves teenager on Zugspitze
A 21-year-old climber left a 17-year-old girl on the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain on the German-Austrian border.
They had set out from Ehrwald, Austria, during the night to reach the summit for sunrise.
They ran into heavy snow and temperatures of minus 12 degrees at about 2,500 metres, a few hundred metres below the summit.
The girl raised the alarm and was taken to hospital with severe hypothermia, but was soon allowed home.
Austrian police are investigating the man for allegedly endangering a minor, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of three months in prison.
It is not clear why they separated or whether they agreed to do so, and police have not announced an outcome.
The case has drawn comparisons with a fatal climbing incident in Austria, in which a man was convicted after leaving his girlfriend on a mountain.
Austrian police are investigating a 21-year-old climber after he left a 17-year-old companion alone on the Zugspitze.
The pair set out from Ehrwald in Austria at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday to watch the sunrise.
They became stuck in heavy snow and minus 12-degree weather at about 2,500 metres, below the summit.
The teenager called for help and was rescued by police helicopter; she was treated for hypothermia and soon left hospital.
The man is suspected of endangering a minor’s physical safety, an offence that can carry up to three months in prison.
- Who
- A 21-year-old man from Bavaria and a 17-year-old girl from Baden-Württemberg.
- What
- Police are investigating after the man descended alone while the teenager remained on the mountain and called for help.
- When
- They set out at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. The sources give no calendar date for that Sunday.
- Where
- On the Zugspitze, near 2,500 metres above sea level, after setting out from Ehrwald, Austria.
- Why
- They could not continue in the winter weather. Why they separated, and whether it was a joint decision, is unclear.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The two climbers set out from Ehrwald to watch the sunrise on the Zugspitze.
At about 2,500 metres, heavy snow and minus 12-degree temperatures stopped them from continuing.
The teenager called for help while the man descended alone.
Austrian rescuers evacuated the teenager by police helicopter; she was treated for hypothermia and soon left hospital.
- Climbers
- 21-year-old man from Bavaria; 17-year-old girl from Baden-Württemberg
- Starting point
- Ehrwald, Austria
- Departure time
- About 1:30 a.m. on Sunday
- Location and altitude
- Zugspitze, about 2,500 metres
- Weather
- Heavy snow; minus 12 degrees
- Possible penalty
- Up to three months in prison