WOMAN’S DEATH IN ALPS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 13

WOMAN’S DEATH IN ALPS

HUSBAND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. An unprecedented case has come before a Swiss Court as a result oi a climbing accident last Whitsun in the Swiss Alps, says the Geneva correspondent of “The Times.”

A man and his wife went climbing in bad weather and lost their way. The woman died of exposure and the husband was arrested and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for manslaughter by carelessness. The man is an excellent climber and underwent 1 several alpine training courses in the Swiss Army, so he should have known what was needed for such an ascent, the correspondent said. The couple’s equipment was, in fact, wholly insufficient. They had no rope, no extra clothing and little food and the bivouac the husband made was badly installed. These circumstances, which the husband could not deny, were held to have caused his wife’s death. This is the first case in Switzerland fn which a mountaineer has befn sentenced for imprudence and neglect.