Man investigated for leaving 17-year-old on Germany's highest mountain Zugspitze

Austrian police are investigating a 21-year-old German man on suspicion of endangering public safety after his 17-year-old female friend was left stranded on Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze, in sub-zero temperatures.

Zugspitze is 2,962 metres (9,718 ft) high. The teenager called emergency services and was eventually rescued on the mountain at an altitude of about 2,500 metres (8,200 ft).

She was suffering from hypothermia when she was rescued. She was taken to hospital in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, over the border in Germany, before being discharged.

In Austria, anyone who endangers another person's physical safety can be punished with up to three months in prison, according to the report.

The pair set off in the early hours of Sunday from the resort of Ehrwald in the Austrian Tyrol with the aim of seeing the sunrise on Zugspitze.

Temperatures that morning had fallen to -12C, a mountain rescuer told the German Press Agency DPA.

The weather was so poor that the two climbers were soon knee-deep in snow, according to Austrian reports, and their plans to reach the 2,962-metre summit soon changed.

At one point they separated and the 21-year-old descended alone. The reason they split is unclear, and a police spokesperson declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Seven mountain rescuers responded to the call, and a helicopter eventually airlifted the teenager off the mountain. She was then taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police have said that once they have completed their investigation, a report will be sent to Innsbruck public prosecutors, who will decide if a criminal offence has been committed.