Photo: The Canadian Press

Conor Sykes, 33, shares a moment with his son Liam, 6, in this undated handout photo. 

A young man says he's devastated after his father and his dad's best friend died in a canoeing accident in northern Manitoba along with two of their sons.

James Cripps says it's surreal that his father and younger brother are gone.

"It just feels like your entire world crashes down on you," he said Tuesday.

RCMP said a search began on Monday after the four paddlers were reported overdue from a trip on the Burntwood River north of Thompson.

Police officers and firefighters launched two rescue boats and chartered a helicopter. Several boaters in the area also took part.

The overturned craft and the bodies of the four canoeists were found in the water. Police said all the victims were wearing life jackets. They were all from Thompson.

Loved ones say Shane Cripps, 44, and Conor Sykes, 33, were best friends.

Cripps's son Dylan, 14, and Sykes's son Liam, who was six, were with them on the excursion.

The elder Cripps was a well-respected entrepreneur in northern Manitoba, who had an ecotourism lodge, restaurant and other ventures, said friend Jody Linklater.