Honda says fatal crash involved Takata air bag inflator rupture

DETROIT (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co Ltd on Friday said it has confirmed that a Takata Corp (7312.T) air bag inflator ruptured in a Jan. 18 crash in Texas that killed the driver.

Prior to the incident that took place near Houston, Takata air bags had been linked to at least five deaths.

On Thursday, Honda issued a statement about the fatal crash involving a 2002 Honda Accord with a Takata air bag but had not yet confirmed that the inflator had ruptured. A preliminary report from the medical examiner, however, said the driver died of "blunt force injuries to the neck."

U.S. safety regulators have said defective Takata air bag inflators in certain vehicles can rupture and spray metal fragments inside the vehicle.