Alberta's chuckwagon community is mourning a devastating loss to the sport after two prominent drivers died less than 24 hours apart.

Herman Flad and 14 of his horses died after his tractor-trailer was hit head-on Tuesday on Highway 2 near the town of Rycroft, about 70 kilometres north of Grande Prairie.

He was 68.

On Wednesday morning, Dallas Dorchester lost his battle with cancer.

He was 62.

Flad was hauling horses at the time of the accident. He was reportedly on his way to a chuckwagon tour stop in Dawson Creek, B.C.

The veteran driver had more than 35 years experience with a very distinguished driving record.

Chuckwagon driver Dave Golloway said it is a dark day for racing fans.

"This is a big extended family," he said. "This is a guy who has been a mainstay figure for a long time and will be greatly missed."

Flad won several major and prestigious chuckwagon events including the inaugural WPCA Pro Tour Championship, the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby, the Grande Prairie Stampede, the Klondike Chuckwagon Derby and twice won the Cheyenne Frontier Days championship.

Flad is survived by his wife Jean, two sons and a daughter.

Meanwhile, chuckwagon enthusiasts continue to remember Dallas as a second-generation wagon man who started his career as an outrider in 1962.

Over his 32 year career, Dallas carved out one of the most impressive records the sport has ever seen.

As an outrider, Dallas won the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Championship three times.

He won nearly 40 show championships in his career.