[@Lovejoy] Depends on whether you paralyze the heart as well as other stuff -- people can and do die instantly from injuries to the spinal cord in that region.  It's why neck injuries are so serious and extreme care is taken with them and other spinal injuries.

[@CollectorOfMyst] Oh, I know people do survive it (though they may or may not retain full use of their body after), but the term "to break one's neck" often implies serious damage to the spinal cord as well.  IN this case, while it's possible to survive, I figured it's also possible to die.

at this point it's more academic than anything else.  ^.^;;