Founder member of E.L.O. killed by bale of hay

Totnes - One of the founding members of classical rock supergroup Electric Light Orchestra Mike Edwards has been killed in a freak accident.

The accident involved a bale of hay that apparently careered down a hill, smashed through a hedge and forced the former cellist to swerve violently in his van causing him to crash into another vehicle on the A381 between Halwell and Harbetonford, Devon in England’s south west coast. Mike Edwards, 62 played cello with ELO during the 1970s had even beaten cancer before the runaway hay bale estimated by Devon and Cornwall police to weigh around 50 stone (700lbs) came crashing through the hedge and into the path of Edwards’ vehicle. He joined the band at its formation in 1969 but left three years later to study Buddhism even changing his name to Deva Pramada. He is not known to have any immediate family but police believe he has a brother who lives in Yorkshire and goes by the name of David. He was never married although an ex-girlfriend has been traced to the continent of Europe. Police also said he was a cello tutor in the county of Devon. The driver in the other vehicle involved in the crash was unhurt.