A former cellist with the Electric Light Orchestra was killed in a "freak accident" when a silage bale landed on his van, police said yesterday.

Officers are trying to trace the family of Mike Edwards, 62, who died in the "one-in-a-million" incident on the main Totnes to Kingsbridge road on Friday.

Mr Edwards was famous for his bizarre stage costumes with the British 1970s group and for eccentrically playing his instrument with a grapefruit.

Police have spoken to the musician's friends in Totnes but have failed to find his next-of-kin.

The vehicle's registration led them to his home address and they have since used YouTube footage and online images to confirm their victim is the former rock star.

Mr Evans, who left the band to become a Buddhist in 1975, died instantly when a huge bale of silage rolled over a hedge and landed on top of his van.

The incident happened at about 12.30pm on the A381 between Harbertonford and Halwell.

Officers believe the bale was in a steeply sloping field beside the road when it started rolling and then bounced 12 to 15 feet over a hedge and directly on to the cab of the oncoming van.

Sgt Steve Walker, the senior investigating officer, said: "There was haybaling taking place in the field, which has a steep incline.

"One of the bales – which weigh around three quarters of a tonne – somehow rolled down the hill, gaining sufficient momentum to bounce over the fence. It went straight through the cab of the transit van and we think Mr Edwards would have been killed instantly. We have numerous eye witnesses.

"It was a million-to-one, a freak accident, and we don't believe there was any foul play involved.

"We know who the man was who was operating the baler, we are making inquiries in relation to the tractor driver and working practices of the task that was going on in the field at the time."

A joint police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation is under way into the tragic death.

Despite Mr Edwards being a well-known local figure, officers have been unable to trace any family members.

"With him being a bit of a superstar in the past, we are hoping someone will recognise him and help us find his next-of-kin," added Sgt Walker. "He had been a long time out of the business, but was not reclusive. He was still teaching the cello and played with local bands."

Sgt Walker said that Mr Edwards may have had a brother called David living in the Yorkshire area. North Yorkshire Police are helping them to search for him but have not yet made contact. If they cannot find a family member by later in the week, one of Mr Edwards' friends will have to formally identify his body.

The Electric Light Orchestra – or ELO – was a British rock group from Birmingham that notched up 27 Top 40 hit singles in both the UK and the US.

Their best known hits include Mr Blue Sky, Evil Woman and Livin' Thing.

Mr Edwards played cello on the albums ELO II, On The Third Day, The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) and Eldorado. He left the band in 1975.

Anyone with any information about Mr Edwards can contact Steve Walker of Plympton traffic police on 08752 777444, quoting log number 400 03-09-10.