Horrific Accident Kills Chuckwagon Driver and Horses

It was a tragic start to what has been dubbed the greatest show in the Peace. At approximately 2:30 Tuesday afternoon, long-time Chuckwagon driver Herman Flad and 14 of his 15 horses were killed in a horrific collision south of Rycroft.

The 69-year old was headed to the Battle of the North in Dawson Creek from the WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Championship in Strathmore, when it appears a pickup truck crossed the centre line, causing a head on collision.

Family watched as emergency crews worked well into the evening trying to recover the body, which had been pinned under the truck at the bottom of a ravine.  Miraculously, one horse survived the crash suffering just cuts and bruises. 

Just a day after the tragic loss, his son Troy has made the difficult decision to do what his father would have wanted and compete at the exhibition.

The start of the exhibition is usually an exciting time for racers, but this year, the mood is somewhat more somber. Ironically, the family confirms that after 37 years, this was to be Flad's final year before retiring. And despite the horror of the accident scene, they are taking solace in the fact that he died doing what he loved.

With the reins now passing to the next generation, Troy can only hope he'll be able to fill his father's boots.

Herman is survived by his wife Jean, three children - fellow Chuckwagon drivers Troy, Darcy and Shelly as well as 9 grandchildren. 

Alicia Asquith CJDC TV News Dawson Creek