‘The costs could rise’: Austria manslaughter ruling could alter climbing in Europe

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/20/austria-conviction-affect-climbing-europe

42 points · 14 comments · view on lemmy.world

14 Comments

GargleBlaster@feddit.org · 35 pts · 194d (5 replies)

The court heard Thomas P had left his girlfriend alone and exposed in the open and pushed on alone, apparently believing he could secure assistance from a hut on the other side of the mountain. He had declined the offer of assistance from a rescue helicopter that had been sent to see if they required help.

What.

RamRabbit@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 194d (2 replies)

Reminds me of the Parable of the Drowning Man:

A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in prayer on the church porch, surrounded by water. By and by, one of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.

"Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast."

"No," says the preacher. "I have faith in the Lord. He will save me."

Still the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, wringing his hands in supplication, when another guy zips up in a motorboat.

"Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here. The levee's gonna break any minute."

Once again, the preacher is unmoved. "I shall remain. The Lord will see me through."

After a while the levee breaks, and the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is up there, clinging to the cross, when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone.

"Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance."

Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will deliver him.

And, predictably, he drowns.

A pious man, the preacher goes to heaven. After a while he gets an interview with God, and he asks the Almighty, "Lord, I had unwavering faith in you. Why didn't you deliver me from that flood?"

God shakes his head. "What did you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter."

birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 5 pts · 194d

Such a good story. I like to tell that one to evangelists, but they cut me off before I can finish it. Oh well...

Endymion_Mallorn@kbin.melroy.org · 3 pts · 194d

In a more brutal context: Praise the Lord, pass the ammunition.

aard@kyu.de · 10 pts · 194d (1 reply)

Helicopter rescue is a few thousand euros - and unless you have an insurance for that you have to pay that by yourself.

No idea if that was the case here - but it'd not be the first time that somebody refused rescue because of the cost.

Don't go into the alps without experience - and make sure you have proper insurance. If you're a member of the Alpenverein (as I am) you'd be covered - but probably also gained enough experience to not get stuck in such an entirely avoidable situation anyway.

trollercoaster@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 193d

Austria will charge people who get themselves into danger in the mountains recklessly for their rescue. And that's right. Mountain rescue is dangerous. Those idiots don't only endanger themselves, but also those who have to rescue them.

aard@kyu.de · 20 pts · 194d (4 replies)

This is a quite important discussion - the last years have seen an increase of cases where people needed to be rescued from situations they should not have gotten themselves in.

That includes school groups where teachers didn't bother to prepare, and people without experience following influencers route suggestions. I guess next step would be checking liability for those as well.

Properly equipped with a bivy bag that situation might have been survivable.

Kornblumenratte@feddit.org · 9 pts · 194d (1 reply)

She had a bivouac sack with her. That's why they found him guilty: it was his 15^th or 16^th tour on the Großglockner, he took her with him with moonboots instead of proper mountain shoes, declined several help offers and left her with her bivouac gear stowed away in the backpack.

aard@kyu.de · 8 pts · 193d

I missed that she had that with her - that makes things even worse. Either he's a weapons grade moron, or he planned that trip to kill her.

Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org · 2 pts · 193d (1 reply)

next step would be checking liability for those as well.

Would be a good thing.

school groups where teachers didn't bother to prepare

Yes, teachers should have the same liability.

trollercoaster@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 193d

Yes, teachers should have the same liability

Technically, they already have, but the justice system rarely prosecutes them for recklessly endangering the pupils in their charge.

cron@feddit.org · 20 pts · 194d

I’d prefer it if inexperienced people did not attempt to climb the Großglockner - Austria’s highest peak - in winter, especially with non-alpinists.

If you do find yourself in this situation, please call for help and stay on the line until rescuers arrive.

muelltonne@feddit.org · 11 pts · 194d

Not sure here - if you take a look at that case, he straight up murdered his girlfriend there on the mountain. That should not put people off activity.

Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org · 7 pts · 193d

could put people off activity

Then so be it.

The mountains are not in need of idiots, and the tourism industry can find other ways to keep the idiots busy.

People with some experience and some brains will have no problems.