Andy Parle, the former drummer from Liverpool, England band Space, died on Saturday, in an incident police have described as "unexplained." He was 42.

Parle -- who drummed on Space hits such as 'Neighbourhood', 'The Female of the Species' and 'Me and You Versus the World' -- was crossing the road in Dingle, Liverpool on Saturday night when he collapsed.

Passersby and paramedics gave help at the scene, and he was then taken to the Liverpool Royal Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His former bandmate, Dave "Yorkie" Palmer, told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "It's the saddest, most tragic end you could have."

He added: "Space continued to have success after Andy left but the band changed and lost something which Andy had contributed. Even though we had another brilliant drummer there was something about Andy's style which was unique."A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said they did not believe Parle had been assaulted or hit by a vehicle, but wanted any witnesses to his collapse to come forward.

She added: "Officers investigating the death are keen to speak with anyone who may have been in the area around this time and particularly any taxi drivers using this busy route to come forward.

"A post mortem will be held to establish the cause of death."

Parle was part of the Liverpool band's line-up when they became favourites of Radio 1 DJ Chris Evans, whose championing of the track 'The Female of the Species' helped Space become a radio staple during 1996. Space's melding of styles -- the retro lounge styling of 'Money' next to the staccato, ska-tinged 'Neighbourhood' -- made them a more inventive live prospect than many of their contemporaries.

Their debut album 'Spiders' reached platinum in the UK and the band also had limited success in the US. Prior to Parle's departure, the band had another UK hit with 'Me and You Versus the World'.