The Onion, 30 April 1997:
Violent decapitations and permanent paralysis due to severing of the spinal cord are among the reasons cited by the Chrysler Corporation for its decision to recall all '97 automobiles containing the "neckbelts" safety feature. "In the case of collision, it would appear that the neckbelts have a detrimental effect on overall passenger safety," read a statement released by the company.
The real world, 11 July 2009:
A taxi driver decapitated himself in a gruesome suicide yesterday. The cabbie, believed to be in his 30s, tied a rope to a lamppost and the other end round his neck before driving off at speed. A shocked colleague found his body in the taxi with his detached head yards away.
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3 comments:
What acceleration does one need for that?
Well, I suppose as little as 9.8 m/s(sqrd)
Heads used to 'pop off' during hangings quite frequently until the Officail Table of Drops was introduced.
But as my Grandad used to say " It's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop at the end"
It's all a matter of slack.
Rope round lampost, other end round neck: good start.
No slack in the rope and driving away could cause death but it would be a tug on the tie region right from the off. Every chance the dear not-yet departed will change his mind before he hits walking speed.
Add a few yards of slack and he's up to a fine rate of knots before he feels any pressure under the chin. Then it's too late to change his mind and the job is done.
It also helps to have a sturdy knot at both ends.
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