Rock legend killed in freak farming accident in Devon
Mike Edwards, a founding member of the Electric Light Orchestra, was killed instantly when a 600kg bale of hay rolled down a steep field and crashed into his van
Emily Malia GAU Writer 08:00, 25 Nov 2025
View 3 ImagesMike was an early member of ELO(Image: Watal Asanuma/Shinko Music, Getty Images)Mike Edwards, an early member of the colossal 1970s rock band ELO, tragically lost his life in a bizarre farming[1] accident.
The accomplished cellist was instantly killed when a rolling bale of hay struck him as he drove his van along a country road in Devon.
The 62-year-old was travelling on the A381 in Halwell, Devon, in September 2010 when the 600kg bale of hay rolled down a steep field and crashed[2] through a hedge. It then continued its downhill journey, gaining speed, before it landed atop Edwards' white van.
Police[3] investigations led officers to believe the 'brilliant' musician died almost instantly from the sheer force after Mike was forced to swerve after the bale of hay hit and he swerved into another vehicle. As he was struck, his car swerved and collided with a second driver around 12:30pm, who fortunately emerged from the incident relatively unscathed.
View 3 ImagesMike was an accomplished musician before his tragic death(Image: Fin Costello, Redfernsvia Getty Images)People were able to identify the victim of this fatal and unusual event using photos and YouTube footage of his time spent as a musician.
In his later years, Edwards resided in Totnes[4] and was a founding member of the classical Devon Baroque orchestra, as well as having his place in the Electric Light Orchestra.
The following evening, on Saturday, Edwards was scheduled to perform with medieval folk group Daughters of Elvin in Totnes. Police reportedly faced initial difficulties in locating Edwards' family members, though they eventually managed to contact his brother David, who was residing in Yorkshire.
The inquest subsequently revealed the 62-year-old sustained a fractured skull and spine. After the inquest, his brother said: "Michael's death was totally unnecessary and totally preventable if a proper assessment of the risks of baling on a steeply sloping field next to a public road had been carried out," The Guardian reports.
View 3 ImagesMembers of the music community shared their condolences (Image: Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)David and other family members urged the Health and Safety Executive to raise awareness about the hazards associated with baling hay on sloping terrain adjacent to roads.
He added: "My brother's death has touched so many people's lives..
Article continues below"Not just my own family but the very many friends he had here in Devon, his music pupils, the many ensembles and orchestras he played with and loyal fans of ELO. He will be sadly missed by us all."
Friends and fellow musicians expressed their tributes and sympathies to the BBC[5] following his unexpected death. Angus Gordon, chairman of Devon Baroque, said: "He was simply the nicest guy and a brilliant musician.
He was capable of turning his hand to any type of music at all.
"He taught the cello, and his incredible patience and encouragement - even with the slowest of students - made him a very good teacher.
I'm devastated.
He was a really likeable person and such good fun that I keep thinking this has been a horrible mistake," as reported by the BBC.