Electric Light Orchestra cellist killed in freak accident

Sep 6, 2010, 11:06 GMT

London - British cellist Mike Edwards, a founding member of the 1970s rock group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), was killed when a giant hay bale smashed into his van, police said Monday.

The 62-year-old musician was killed instantly after the a 600- kilogram bale careered down the side of a steep field on to a road in the south-western county of Devon Friday.

Police said they were investigating whether the bale may have fallen from a tractor working on farmland. They said it was believed that the musician's car swerved into another vehicle. But the second driver involved was unhurt.

'This was a tragic accident and we have now identified the victim as Michael Edwards, a founder member of ELO,' Steve Walker of the Devon and Cornwall police traffic unit said.

He said police were trying to contact the family of the cellist, who never married.

A tribute to Edwards was posted Monday on the Face The Music website, described as an 'official information service for ELO and related artists.'

Edwards played in ELO's first live concert in 1972 and was with ELO until 1975, helping to create its distinctive mix of pop, rock and classical elements.

'Mike quickly became a crowd favourite with his exploding cello and rather unique solo party piece that involved playing the cello with a grapefruit,'said the tribute. 'He will be sadly missed by all.'