ELO: The last straw...

[MikeMike]

LONDON — A giant bale of hay has killed a founding member of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) after it tumbled down a hill and crashed into his van.

Cellist Mike Edwards, 62, died after the 1,323 lb bale rolled down a steep field in Devon, southern England, smashed through a hedge and careered on to the road.

He died instantly in the freak accident on Friday afternoon.

Sgt. Steve Walker, of Devon and Cornwall police, described the crash as "a tragic accident," the BBC reported.

YouTube footage
Police said they used photographs and YouTube footage to identify Edwards and are investigating whether the bale may have fallen from a tractor working on farmland near the road.

Edwards, who played with the band between 1972 and 1975, is believed to have swerved into another vehicle as the bale crushed his vehicle.

ELO eventually sold more than 50 million records worldwide.

Britain's Mirror newspaper reported that Edwards quit the band at the height of its fame to become a Buddhist.

RIP, very good band....

 

[Eli]

That's insane.. Freak accidents like that are so weird... Imagining all the things that have to happen perfectly, at just the right moment for it all to come together like that...

RIP.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

the van is reversable, but time is not. turn back, turn back, turn back.

 

[olds]

When I worked in our Stormwater department, I once tried to stop a normal bale of hay.
I was standing down hill, in a creek bed about 15' away and a co-worker tossed it my way.
It slid down to me and knocked me ass over tea kettle in the creek.
I never tried that again.

 

[BrokenVisage]

First time I've heard the word 'career' used as an intransitive verb, silly Londoners!

 

[Ronstang]

First time I've heard the word 'career' used as an intransitive verb, silly Londoners!

I assume you are being sarcastic since it is more likely that it is a mistype and was supposed to be 'careened'.

 

[pmv]

First time I've heard the word 'career' used as an intransitive verb, silly Londoners!

Seriously, what's wrong with using it as an intransitive verb? Its used that way all the time, that's one of the most common ways the word is used. It sure as hell isn't transitive ("I careered it"?).

e.g. from 'the free dictionary'

career [kəˈrɪə]
n
1. a path or progress through life or history
2. a profession or occupation chosen as one's life's work
3. (modifier) having or following a career as specified a career diplomat
4. a course or path, esp a swift or headlong one
vb
(intr) to move swiftly along; rush in an uncontrolled way


Or are you complaining about it being used with respect to something that isn't self-propelled?

 

[pmv]

The actual accident sounds horrifically unlucky. Reminds me of the sort of stuff that happened in 'The Omen'.

 

[DominionSeraph]

First time I've heard the word 'career' used as an intransitive verb,

You should read more.

 

[Amused]

LOL at thread title.

 

[Schadenfroh]

RIP, odd way to go...

Band was amazing

 

[MikeMike]

LOL at thread title.

finally, someone comments on it.

 

[SirStev0]

Runnin' down the avenue, see how the sun shines brightly, in the city, on the streets where once was pity.
Mister Blue Sky is living here today.

RIP Mike.