The UK's Daily Mail has filed the following report

A founding member of ELO has been killed in a freak accident when a giant hay bale rolled out of a field and landed on his van.

Cellist Mike Edwards died instantly when the 50-stone cylindrical bale careered down a slope, flipped 15ft over a hedge and smashed on to the roof of his van.

Mr Edwards, 62, was known for unconventional cello playing including plucking the strings with an orange or grapefruit and his bizarre customs which became a major ingredient of ELO, the ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA.

He was celebrated for his live 'party piece', named the Dying Swan, during which he would perform a solo with his cello 'exploding' at the end. The musician quit the band in 1975 to become a Buddhist, changing his name to Deva Pramada and making his living by teaching the cello.

Police say the accident happened at around 12.30pm on Friday on the A381 between Harbetonford and Halwell in Devon.

The victim was driving a white transit-type van towards Kinsgbridge when the bale of hay smashed into the front cab.

The van swerved after it was hit and then collided with another smaller van coming the other way - but the second driver was unhurt.

mike edwards

Eccentric: Mike Edwards's bizarre costumes and ability to play his cello with fruit were a major part of ELO's appeal

Police identified him with the use of photographs and YouTube footage and have appealed for help in contacting his family for formal identification.

Go to this location for more information.

As recently reported, to commemorate the 40-year anniversary of ELO, Eagle Rock Entertainment released Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years DVD on August 24th. The marriage of sweeping orchestral harmonies with rock ‘n’ roll’s electricity led to global album sales in excess of 50 million, making ELO one of the biggest selling bands of the seventies and eighties.

ELO was formed in 1970 by Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood from the ashes of their band THE MOVE. Wood left shortly after, and Lynne led the band to international acclaim. A triple concert trip down memory lane, Electric Live Orchestra Live: The Early Years amasses excerpts from three 70s’ performances. Filmed in 1973, the first concert is from the UK’s Brunel University; the second is a six-track culmination from German TV’s Rockpalast in 1974. Finally, ELO tears through 12 songs at the Fusion concert from the New Victoria Theatre in London, as part of the Face The Music tour. As a bonus, fans are treated to a vintage band interview from Rockpalast.

Electric Light Orchestra Live: The Early Years is a welcome reflection on this band’s beginnings, and proves why their music stands the test of time forty years later.

Tracklisting:

Brunel University 1973:

'King of the Universe'

'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle'

'In The Hall Of The Mountain King'

'Great Balls of Fire'

Germany 1974-Rockpalast:

'Daybreaker'

'Showdown'

'Orange Blossom Special'

'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle'

'In The Hall Of The Mountain King'

'Great Balls of Fire'

London 1976-Fusion:

'Poker'

'Nightrider'

'Showdown'

'Eldorado Overture'

'Can’t Get It Out Of My Head'

'Poor Boy (The Greenwood)'

'Illusions in G Major'

'Strange Magic'

'10538 Overture'

'Do Ya'

'Evil Woman'

'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle'

Bonus feature – Rockpalast Interview