Government investigating more deaths linked to Firestone tires

(Detroit-AP) -- The number of deaths that may be linked to faulty Firestone tires could be double what was first thought.<br><br>Federal investigators are now examining 46 deaths they believe could be

Monday, August 7th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Detroit-AP) -- The number of deaths that may be linked to faulty Firestone tires could be double what was first thought.

Federal investigators are now examining 46 deaths they believe could be linked to the tire.

Twenty-one fatalities were reported just last week.

The National Highway Safety Administration has received more than 270 complaints about failing Firestone truck tires. The agency says most of the tires were installed on Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles.

Two major retailers -- Discount Tire and Sears -- say they've stopped selling the Firestone A-T-X, A-T-X Two and Wilderness A-T models.

Ford and Firestone contend the tires are safe.

%AP Links

On the Net:http://www.ford.com

http://www.firestone.com