Federal and provincial political circles were rocked today by the news that Alberta premier and federal cabinet minister Jim Prentice had died in a plane crash in B.C.

Prentice, 60, was among four people on board a twin-engine Cessna Citation that took off from Kelowna bound for Springbank Airport near Calgary late Thursday evening. All four passengers died. One of them was Ken Gellatly, the father-in-law of one of Prentice’s daughters.

“Words cannot begin to express our profound shock and heartbreak,” says a statement issued on behalf of Prentice’s family by Jason Hatcher, family spokesman.

“To lose two family members at once is unbelievably painful … In the time Jim has been with us, he was a friend to many. Jim was a loving and compassionate man who dedicated his life to his family and public service. He will be so greatly missed.”

The Kelowna Daily Courier reports that RCMP detachments were alerted by the Surrey Air Traffic Control Centre at 10:07 p.m. PST that they had lost contact with the small jet shortly after its takeoff from Kelowna International Airport. There were no Environment Canada alerts in effect for the Kelowna area. However much of Alberta was under severe weather warnings for high winds, freezing rain and snow.

News of Prentice’s death quickly sparked an outpouring of condolences from across the country, including from former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Laureen and I were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of our friend and colleague Jim Prentice. pic.twitter.com/NgABNhzTBM — Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) October 14, 2016

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also shared his condolences, giving a brief statement from outside of Calgary.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult and trying time, as well as our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the other victims of this tragic accident,” he said.

Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose visibly struggled with grief as she delivered a statement from the foyer of the Commons.

“Today is a very sad day for us. When you’re in politics, you’re in a family and our family, the Conservative family, mourns the loss of our good friend Jim Prentice, but so do many others across the country who came to know him as a friend. I know from knowing Jim for many years that he was most proud of being a good husband, a good father and a very proud new grandfather.

“And to Karen and the girls,” Ambrose added, her eyes welling with tears, “we’re with you, we’re praying for you and we love you. We love you dearly and we look forward to seeing you so we can give you a big hug.”

Former Conservative federal cabinet ministers John Baird and Jason Kenney also expressed their sadness at the loss, as did former federal Progressive Conservative leader Brian Mulroney.

“Devastated to learn of the death of my friend & former colleague @JimPrentice,” former Foreign Affairs minister John Baird tweeted at 12:59 pm EST. “My thoughts & prayers are with his wife Karen and his family.”

“Jim was a deeply patriotic Canadian, proud Albertan and devoted father and husband,” said Prentice’s former cabinet colleague Jason Kenney in a statement. “Everyone who knew Jim regarded him as a man of the highest personal integrity and decency.”

“Mila and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the tragic death of Jim Prentice,” said Mulroney. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to Karen and their whole family. Jim was an important contributor to the political life of Canada, and one of the true gentlemen I have known. He will be missed but his legacy on the many issues and people he touched will live on.”

After hearing the news, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley swiftly cancelled a trip to Red Deer planned for today.

Notley’s own father, Grant Notley, was killed in a similar crash on October 18, 1984, when a Piper Navajo Chieftain in which he was a passenger hit trees and crashed into the ground, killing him and five others.

“There are no words adequate for moments like this, as my family knows very well,” Notley said in a press conference.

“But there are words to remember Premier Prentice’s contributions to Alberta. He served our province in so many roles for so many years. He deeply loved Alberta. He worked tirelessly for all of us, in the true spirit of one who is committed to public service. I benefited from his advice, and the Government of Alberta is continuing to pursue many of his initiatives. All Albertans are the better for this.”

A memorial website has been created to give Albertans a chance to share their condolences.

“I first had the pleasure of working directly with Jim when he became Alberta’s 16th premier and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, and of course this was right after a time when Jim and I travelled across the province in that last PC leadership contest,” said Progressive Conservative Interim Leader Ric McIver in a press conference following Notley’s speech. “I will say that at that time he proved he had a sense of humour and a capacity for forgiveness and compassion by putting me in his cabinet after that leadership contest, which I think is the mark of a man, the mark of a person who understands to look for where he can find places for other people to contribute and then provide those opportunities.”

Officials from the Transportation Safety Board have been dispatched and are on their way to the scene, officials said in a statement. The TSB has not responded to requests for specific crash details from iPolitics.

However, according to publicly available flight data, a twin engine Cessna Citation with the tail number C-GTNG arrived at Kelowna International Airport from Springbank Airport at 8:16 AM on Thursday.

That same jet departed the Kelowna airport bound for Springbank at 9:32 PM local time the same day, but did not arrive at its destination.

The data suggests that the jet headed northeast out of Kelowna and reached a peak altitude of 7,000 feet at 9:35 PM PST before rapidly descending 2,200 feet one minute later. No flight information is available after that point.

The jet, in service since 1974, was privately registered in 2005 but it’s not clear at this time who owns it.

Prentice resigned from federal politics in 2010 after stints as minister of Environment, Industry and Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and took a job as vice-chairman at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

After Alberta Premier Alison Redford resigned in 2014 over an expense scandal, Progressive Conservative Party officials began courting Prentice to step in as leader of the party and premier of Alberta. He took on the difficult task of trying to rebuild a fractured party and restore Albertans’ trust in the PC brand.

The Progressive Conservatives lost the 2015 provincial election to Notley’s New Democrats and Prentice subsequently resigned as party leader, taking a job with the Washington-based Canada Institute at the Wilson Center in February 2016, where he worked as a visiting fellow.

According to the Center, Prentice was working on a book about energy and environmental issues that was set to be published in late 2016. In June 2016 he joined the private equity firm Warburg Pincus as an energy analyst.

“He was an invaluable member of our firm and more broadly, a widely respected leader in the energy, financial services and political communities,” Warbug Pincus said in a email. “We send our sincerest condolences to Jim’s family during this difficult time.”

Prentice leaves behind a wife, Karen Prentice, three children and two grandchildren.

Parliamentarians and local Alberta politicians quickly began sharing their condolences upon hearing confirmation of Prentice’s death.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi posted a statement sharing his memories of Prentice, calling the loss “devastating” and recounting how Prentice made an impact on him during his earliest forays into political life.

“Jim came to see me when I became mayor (one of my very first meetings, in fact), and he helped me navigate those tough first few weeks. Even after he left federal politics, he was an important part of this city and always ready to help however he could,” Nenshi said.

“In politics, I get to work with people from all political stripes who are filled with a desire to do good no matter what. I also get to work with people who are thoughtful, respectful, and driven by a need improve this community we all share. Jim was all of these things, and so much more. He is an inspiration to all of us who aspire to public service.”

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister also remembered Prentice as someone whose loss will be felt across the country and who was deeply committed to public service.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Prentice family on this very sad day,” said Pallister. “Jim was a consistent voice for a stronger, more united Canada. Most importantly, Jim was a good friend, a caring father and grandfather, and loving husband. My heart goes out to his wife Karen and to all those who were close to him. His commitment to public service and his love for this country will be remembered for many years to come.”

Former federal Conservative MP and iPolitics columnist Brent Rathgeber shared similar sentiments.

“He was a thoughtful and dedicated public servant and he will be missed.”

Conservative MP Mark Warawa was Prentice’s parliamentary secretary while Prentice was running Environment between 2008 and 2010. He called Prentice one of the most intelligent and dedicated public servants he’d ever met.

“He was a man of honour and an incredibly intelligent man. He will be so missed,” he told iPolitics.

“He worked so hard and was respected by all (who) worked with him. He would go home with piles of briefing materials, read it thoroughly and at the beginning of the following week he would meet with all the department heads … he would know each file intimately, did not need to be briefed by anybody. Everybody who worked with him respected him …

“He was very, very friendly, very welcoming, showed great respect with everybody who worked with him. He was loved and appreciated because he gave respect to everyone. He was a strong family man.

“It’s a sad, sad day.”

“I will remember @JimPrentice as one of the most affable, respected public servants, whose humility emboldened his intellect,” tweeted Conservative MP Lisa Raitt. “Rest in peace.”

“Very saddened to hear news of the tragic death of Jim Prentice,” tweeted Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. “My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP.”

“Catherine & I join all New Democrats in offering our most sincere condolences to family & friends of Jim Prentice at this difficult time,” tweeted NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.

“I’m heartbroken to hear my friend Jim Prentice was killed last night in a plane crash,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May in a release. “My heart goes out to Jim’s wife, Karen, three daughters and grandchildren as they mourn this tragic loss.

“As Environment Minister, Jim showed genuine concern in protecting the environment. It’s a sad day for Canada and for all of us in public life. Jim will be missed.”

CIBC also shared a statement on the former vice-chairman’s death.

“This news comes as a terrible shock to all of us,” said Victor Dodig, President and CEO of CIBC. “Jim was a great friend, colleague and Canadian. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s wife, Karen, and their children and extended family.”

Many others shared their condolences via tweets.

I have just heard the terrible news about my former colleague @JimPrentice -my sincere condolences to his family #Cdnpoli #SurreyBC #ABpoli

— Sukh Dhaliwal (@sukhdhaliwal) October 14, 2016

I’m shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Prentice. He devoted his life to Canada. Our thoughts are with his family.

— Michael Chong (@MichaelChongMP) October 14, 2016

Just heard that Jim Prentice has died along with 3 others after a private plane crash outside of #Kelowna. My condolences to their families.

— Dan Albas (@DanAlbas) October 14, 2016

Devastating news about Jim Prentice. He was a deeply honourable man and devoted public servant. So so sad.

— Senator Linda Frum (@LindaFrum) October 14, 2016

Tragic news about @JimPrentice – thank you for everything you did for our party and country. Family and friends are in our thoughts #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/PlMLLuZREC

— Conservative Party (@CPC_HQ) October 14, 2016

Jim Prentice had a long & distinguished career in public service. Thoughts & prayers go to his family & those affected by the BC plane crash — C.D. Howe Institute (@CDHoweInstitute) October 14, 2016

Very sad to hear the news about Jim Prentice. He devoted many years of his life to public service – pic.twitter.com/w5c8CAECNt

— Manning Centre (@manningcentre) October 14, 2016

Ardent Albertan; patriotic Canadian; devoted public servant & loving father. My heart goes out to Jim Prentice’s family today. Such a loss. — Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) October 14, 2016