ELO founder killed in freak hay bale accident

A FOUNDING member of the rock group Electric Light Orchestra was killed when a giant bale of hay tumbled down a hill and crashed on to his van.

Police have appealed for any relatives of the former rocker to come forward after being unable to trace any of his family.

Cellist Mike Edwards, 62, died after the 94-stone bale careered down the side of a steep field before it smashed through a hedge and on to the road.

He died instantly in the accident on Friday afternoon.

Police are now investigating whether the bale may have fallen from a tractor working on farmland next to the A381 in Halwell, near Totnes, Devon. They believe that the musician was killed after the loose bale gathered momentum as it rolled down the hill before landing on the front cab of his white van.

Mr Edwards is understood to have swerved into a similar vehicle as he was struck.

Sgt Steve Walker of the Devon and Cornwall Police traffic unit, 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."

Tributes were paid by fans on ELO fan sites last night, with Mr Edwards described as a "legendary figure" by one admirer.