Founding ELO Member, Cellist Mike Edwards Killed By Bale Of Hay

Mike Edwards, a founding member of Electric Light Orchestra, has died in a freak accident involving a bale of hay.

The cellist was killed on the A381 in Devon on Friday, Sept. 3, in an incident in which a bale of hay hit the van he was driving, reports the BBC.

Police are investigating if the runaway bale of hay – weighing at 600kg – rolled off a tractor from a farm close to the road. Edwards' van swerved and hit another vehicle but the other driver escaped the incident uninjured.

Police said they used YouTube clips and photos of Edwards to identify the 62-year-old but they are still trying to find his family to help formally identify the body.

They are appealing for help in tracking down family members, but it is also believed Edwards may have been involved with cello tutoring in the Devon area.

Devon and Cornwall Police Traffic Unit member Sgt Steve Walker said: "This was a tragic accident and we have now identified the victim as Michael Edwards, a founder member of ELO. We have used photographs and YouTube footage to identify him but we now need help contacting his family for formal identification. We don't believe he was ever married and we have identified an ex-girlfriend but she is currently abroad."

Edwards played with British rock group Electric Light Orchestra from 1972 until 1975, when he was replaced by Melvyn Gale.