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Viva Pataca
07 Jun 10 09:43
Joined:
Date Joined: 16 Dec 07
| Topic/replies: 4,340 | Blogger: Viva Pataca's blog
CONCERN over the wellbeing of racing commentator Doug Fraser was mounting on Sunday night, more than 24 hours after his failure to turn up to work at Hexham.

Police broke into Fraser's flat in Leeds on Saturday evening after being contacted by RaceTech chief executive Brad Higgins, amid widespread alarm among friends and colleagues unable to contact him.

There was no sign of him at home, but his car was parked outside.

The apparent disappearance of Fraser, whose voice is well-known across the sport through his racecourse, betting shop, TV and radio work, is being treated as a missing person investigation by West Yorkshire Police.

The force's duty inspector said: "Inquiries are ongoing."

The unexplained absence of Fraser from Hexham on Saturday immediately aroused unease among his workmates as it appeared totally out of character.

Higgins said: "If he was ill, there's a procedure in place where we, or he, arranges cover, but that just didn't happen, and when he didn't turn up and we weren't able to locate him, that's when we decided to contact the police."


Anyone any more info this? The RP report is dated and timed at 5.11pm yesterday. Any devolpments? Massive respect for the racing commentators in the UK and Ireland, unsung heroes in racing. Fraser is amongst the best imo.
Pause Switch to Standard View Dougie Fraser
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Report Facts June 8, 2010 11:15 AM BST
Life's a real sh*t sometimes. Hope he's OK.
Report sevey June 8, 2010 11:35 AM BST
It Just Comes To Show You There Is Some Thoughtful And Caring People On Here
Report JadeTurtle June 8, 2010 12:57 PM BST
good luck dougie! we're all thinking of you. One of the good guys
Report OVERSEAS June 8, 2010 1:02 PM BST
Cant recall Dougie ever getting any stick on here...much valued caller at the Northern and Scottish tracks...hopefully all will turn out ok and he will soon be back calling...
Report sj June 8, 2010 1:16 PM BST
fingers crossed for a happy conclusion,good luck dougie.
Report chrisjake June 8, 2010 1:25 PM BST
good luck fella hope all is well
Report chelsea girl June 8, 2010 2:28 PM BST
Not looking good, it's been too long now.
I do hope i'm wrong though. Sad
Report Ballard Berkeley June 8, 2010 2:35 PM BST
When he used to present on the racing channel or whatever it was called I was always struck by how knowledgeable he was on current affairs and other sports when he interviewed people from those spheres. Clearly an intelligent bloke with a wide general knowledge......unlike many who work in the racing media. I could never understand when he always seemed to be passed over for others when jobs came up. Hope youre ok Dougie.
Report Dev1sbear June 8, 2010 2:59 PM BST
certainly one of the most accurate race callers - hope ur well Dougie
Report Charlie Big Potatoes June 8, 2010 4:21 PM BST
Keep well and come back safely.
Report Anaglogs Daughter June 8, 2010 4:51 PM BST
Heres a recap for of whats known and not known..

Police broke into Dougie Fraser's flat in Leeds on Saturday evening after being contacted by RaceTech chief executive Brad Higgins, amid widespread alarm among friends and colleagues unable to contact him.

There was no sign of him at home, but his car was parked outside. The apparent disappearance of Dougie, who started his commentating career back in the days of the 'blower' service and whose voice is well known across the sport through his racecourse, betting shop, TV and radio work, is being treated as a missing person investigation by West Yorkshire Police.

The force's duty inspector said: "Inquiries are ongoing."

Fraser, who separated from his wife several years ago, had been living alone since his eldest daughter, who shared the flat, recently moved to Italy to take up a teaching position.

Both she and her younger sister, believed to live in Luton, have been spoken to by police, but neither was able to throw any light on their father's whereabouts.

Officers have also been in touch with his parents in Ayr. Fraser's passport has been found and police were yesterday attempting to 'ping' his mobile phone in an effort establish its location. (tho the RP are reporting it was found at his flat)

The unexplained absence of Fraser from Hexham on Saturday immediately aroused unease among his workmates. Fellow commentator Darren Owen described him as "the ultimate professional".

RaceTech chief executive Brad Higgins said: "If Dougie was ill, there's a procedure in place where we, or he, arranges cover, but that just didn't happen, and when he didn't turn up and we weren't able to locate him. That's when we decided to contact the police."

Fraser, who worked as a freelance, was last heard from on Thursday when sending a text message to friend Richard Wade, but he is thought unlikely to have forgotten about his Hexham shift as he had joked about it earlier in the week with commentator Malcolm Tomlinson when both were on duty at Leeds-based Blue 2 Green Ltd, which provides off-TV commentaries for SIS, William Hill Radio and others.

Tomlinson said: "We worked together on Monday and he said he was at Hexham on Saturday. There is absolutely no way Dougie would not have turned up at Hexham without informing someone that he wouldn't be there.

"Not only would he have done that, but he would have found a replacement, because he's that sort of guy. The whole thing is a complete mystery and very worrying
Report know all June 8, 2010 5:02 PM BST
a mate of mine ran off with a 16 year old,we found that out weeks later when we heard he was ok, lets hope dougie is ok as he seems one of the good guys.
Report birkdale June 8, 2010 5:07 PM BST
Come on Dougie.

Its Hexham again on Saturday and Sedgefield next week.
Those meetings are not the same without you.
Report Hibore June 8, 2010 5:24 PM BST
POLICE divers were searching the River Aire in Leeds on Tuesday as the hunt intensified for racing commentator Doug Fraser.

The 54-year-old Scot was reported missing at the weekend after failing to turn up to commentate at Hexham on Saturday afternoon.


Doug Fraser: commentator has been missing since Friday


PICTURE: David Dew

Colleagues describe his unexplained absence as totally out of character, and Arthur Brown, Fraser's closest friend and a member of the SIS racecourse team, summed up their concern saying: "You could set your watch by Dougie, and my gut instinct when I heard he hadn't turned up at Hexham was that there was something hugely wrong."

Members of West Yorkshire Police's underwater search unit concentrated their attention on the stretch of river overlooked by the city centre block of flats where Fraser lived alone.

The last sighting of Fraser was on CCTV leaving the building at around 2am on Friday morning, but his motivation for going out at that time is not known.

A police spokesman said: "I can confirm that we are currently searching the River Aire in and around the city centre."

Anybody with information is asked to contact City and Holeck police station on 0845 6060606.
Report chelsea girl June 8, 2010 5:44 PM BST
This get's more disturbing by the minute.
Report Clueless1 June 8, 2010 5:46 PM BST
went out at 2am Sad
Report guinness2dear June 8, 2010 8:50 PM BST
ttt
Report Doyler1987 June 8, 2010 8:58 PM BST
Sad
Report Sergeant Cecil June 8, 2010 9:15 PM BST
Terrible stuff.  So sad.
Report scousebuster June 8, 2010 9:19 PM BST
I work in racing and know Dougie. This is a really sad and worrying story and I hope to god all this is just some sort of mistake. I hope to see him at Sedgefield on Monday but the longer this goes on the worse this appears.
Report GT June 8, 2010 9:21 PM BST
everton his team scouse?
Report guinness2dear June 8, 2010 9:32 PM BST
I can answer that in the affirmative..
Report mythical prince June 8, 2010 9:36 PM BST
sad to say but 99 percent likely that's he killed himself. emphasises the lonliness of the world today. poor guy lived by himself.
Report Captain Christy June 8, 2010 9:38 PM BST
I remember one of the slimy individuals on racing radio making insinuations about his private life a year or so back, it seemed an odd thing to say at the time on the radio and I was surprised as he always sounded like a decent fella.
Report EastLower Gooner June 8, 2010 9:59 PM BST
:-(
Report AussiInUK June 8, 2010 10:16 PM BST
As someone who has suffered from clinical depression in the past, I really do pray for the best.
Report Princesse D'Anjou June 8, 2010 10:16 PM BST
Hope they find him safe and well though it doesn't look good.
Report Roger De Bris June 8, 2010 10:17 PM BST
going out at 2am, dont like the sound of that...
Report SamuelMorse June 8, 2010 10:49 PM BST
terrible news.
Report Happy Gambler June 8, 2010 10:59 PM BST
how terribly sad. really do hope for the best for him and his loved ones
Report Xerophyte June 8, 2010 11:01 PM BST
It might be like the case of the Scottish bishop a few years back.
Report Tynecast1e June 9, 2010 12:20 AM BST
Been away for a couple of days and read about it in The Post,spoke to him at Kelso last month, very nice fella and an excellent caller. Hope he is alright. Sounds bad though from reading the posts on here.

Just out of interest, was there no commentator at the track on Sat at Hexham then or did they get someone last minute.
Report guinness2dear June 9, 2010 12:22 AM BST
Matt Chapman filled in from the studio..
Report Tynecast1e June 9, 2010 12:26 AM BST
Cheers ****ss, nobody on course then Sad
Report Tynecast1e June 9, 2010 12:28 AM BST
Why has that been blanked out ?
Report guinness2dear June 9, 2010 12:31 AM BST
Daft innit. Nope, no one on course, they obviously expected Dougie to turn up hence no replacement..
Report CaptainTobiasWillcock June 9, 2010 7:37 AM BST
mythical prince Joined: 20 Sep 06
Replies: 833 08 Jun 10 21:36 
sad to say but 99 percent likely that's he killed himself. emphasises the lonliness of the world today. poor guy lived by himself.

I've lived by myself for 10 years and it doesn't mean that you are lonely and where do you get the 99% from?
Report swift-tuttle June 9, 2010 9:44 AM BST
at last ^
Report wolfatthedoor June 9, 2010 9:54 AM BST
tynecastle.
they had some fill in commentator on course.not sure who it was never heard him before
Report aye ready June 9, 2010 10:01 AM BST
On SIS it was the voice over guy doing the commentary from the studio, he is a fairly new guy and did a good job,he wasn't at the course as he was doing voice overs between other races.
Report cardifffc June 9, 2010 10:51 AM BST
any news??
Report Tynecast1e June 9, 2010 10:52 AM BST
Been scouring the rags and can't find anything.
Cheers Wolfie.
Report swift-tuttle June 9, 2010 10:57 AM BST
ATM cash withdrawals (or the absence of them) seem to be the only useful indicator in this type of situation
Report cardifffc June 9, 2010 10:59 AM BST
doesnt really sound good but lets hope for a happy outcome
Report pacemaker June 9, 2010 11:33 AM BST
the sadness I feel is immense, unfortunately the outcome reminds me of the time when a doctor said to my mother and myself about my father, 'hope for the best but expect the worst!'
you see this man, dougie fraser, was ultra-consistent in his dealings/life-style, the last person I'd expect to 'go out at 2am...!' and that's the crux of my despair.
something had to be seriously wrong for that which is why prayers will doubtless be lost.
I'm not an atheist or any kind of religious freak but find, unaccountably, that 'prayer' can sometimes bring reward.
alas I'm unable to 'pray' as such...!
never did I EVER know a sounder, more genuine professional person in my life; just what does go on behind 'closed doors?'
Report saddo June 9, 2010 11:55 AM BST
Get a grip ffs! You are not a victim in this, if you are in despair how do you think his family feel ?
Report foxy top June 9, 2010 11:59 AM BST
Pacemaker is an attention seeker, ignore him Saddo.
Report Facts June 9, 2010 12:03 PM BST
mythical prince Joined: 20 Sep 06
Replies: 833 08 Jun 10 21:36   


sad to say but 99 percent likely that's he killed himself. emphasises the lonliness of the world today. poor guy lived by himself.


Of what relevance is that? Stupid comment.Millions of people live on their own - have no problems, and are perfectly happy.
Report millhouse June 9, 2010 12:06 PM BST
Saddo, Foxy Top - you sound like a couple of real class acts, imo.

I doubt there's anyone who follows racing who doesn't feel sad about this - and it's pretty obvious from pacemaker's posts that he actually knows him...
Report foxy top June 9, 2010 12:13 PM BST
I have read many posts from Pacemaker ...
Report saddo June 9, 2010 12:23 PM BST
Thank you, millhouse.
Report THETRUTHHURTS June 9, 2010 12:29 PM BST
LETS JUST HOPE THE GUY HAS DONE A STEPHEN FRY,HOPE YOUR SAFE AND WELL DOUGIE..
Report howard June 9, 2010 12:45 PM BST
Thats the only hope but a slim i think. Yes many people live on their own but it is not easy especially if you are middle-aged +  and most other people , at least the ones worth knowing ,  are tied up in their own family lives.
Report Percy Filth June 9, 2010 1:05 PM BST
Millhouse, Saddo and Foxy Top are the SAME person(infomaniac)
He has dozens of different names and talks to himself in the same threads!

Then he calls someone an Attention seeker - Irony.
Report saddo June 9, 2010 1:09 PM BST
I am not saddo, Percy Filth.
Report fallon,s whistle June 9, 2010 1:13 PM BST
You have to respect the decision of Dougie if indeed he has decided he couldnt take anymore ,the dispair in man's mind is a lonely one.
Report radiodaize June 9, 2010 1:46 PM BST
I just feel a need to add my best wishes to Dougie, and to say that I'm praying for a welcome outcome.
I remember him as a front of camera man in the early days of racing TV, and remember an interview when he decided he would give it up and concentrate on commentating.
Whilst not knowing him personally, these people enter our homes via the TV and we feel close to them.
Report foxy top June 9, 2010 1:48 PM BST
Very well put.
Report sweetchildofmine June 9, 2010 1:49 PM BST
agree with 99.9% of the sentiments on the thread..just to add, if you have nothing decent to say, say nothing at all, because invading a thread just to spew your bile is attention seeking at its most vile
Report SeldomSeen June 9, 2010 1:57 PM BST
fallon,s whistle makes a cogent and very astute observation about despair. It is the very devil of the human condition.
Report pacemaker June 9, 2010 2:11 PM BST
foxy top...sorry you not best plsd with my postings...as for being an 'attention-seeker' if echoing thoughts about a pal on a genuine racing forum (none other!) is seen as attention-seeking' then I'm an AS.
dougie is/was just about the best, most accurate and conscientious operator around, unfortunately he had his 'differences' with scottish tracks and it remained an issue that ayr/hamilton and other scottish tracks saw fit to import 'foreigners!'
never understood (or knew1) what that was all about because scots would always prefer 'home-grown' produce!
Report foxy top June 9, 2010 2:15 PM BST
We'll have to accept your word about you being a pal of his.
Report dannyho12 June 9, 2010 2:48 PM BST
Everyone is going on about what digger said
BUT YOUR ALL JUST ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE TO MAKE YOURSELF LOOK CLEVER

THINK ABOUT THE POOR BLOKE WHO IS MISSING FFS
Report khyber kim June 9, 2010 2:50 PM BST
He's obviously very troubled and it's best not to speculate.
Let's hope he comes back to face up to whatever it is .
Report sooty73 June 9, 2010 5:35 PM BST
How anybody could consider typing anything awful on this thread makes every normal person sick to the stomach, do they ahve family or friends of their own that they can imagine going through this? Goes without saying but pray that he is found alive somewhere as this guy seems a decent human being without knowing him personally.
Report sooty73 June 9, 2010 5:39 PM BST
sorry dannyho12 but i disagree. Majority of people want to express concern and best wishes that there is a good conclusion to this. Its not adding fuel to it by any means, theres a man missing and we all hope he's found alive and able to carry on with his life, if theres a thread about it then its decency to express this wish.
Report dannyho12 June 9, 2010 5:50 PM BST
appology accepted
Report workrider June 9, 2010 6:12 PM BST
dannyboy , you think thats bad ,mugnier as i call him said he had sex with my mother as well , shes only been dead 50 yrs Laugh he's a very sick boy is mugnier.
Report drdirty June 9, 2010 6:21 PM BST
dannyho12 Joined: 07 Oct 08
Replies: 1700 09 Jun 10 14:42   


i hope for everyones sake FAMILY MAINLY that he really is ok
if hes depressed then nobody will understsnd,unless they have been through it themselves. NOBODY

We all know its not looking good,but why the fck should idiots on here try to prove their false worth

FACTS=MR HERO AND BANS EVERYONE
MAGNIER=SAID HE FCKD MY 98 YEAR OLD MOTHER 

I COULD GO ON

This is someone who belongs to racing and IS one of the best

So let it rest unless you have something positive to say

and i hope dougie is just after some time on his own

best wishes

G



well done fella, well said.
Report quantize June 9, 2010 7:08 PM BST
There is a time and a place for some cheeky banter / slagging off of people.

This is not one of those times, and I would like to pay my respects to Dougie and his family, and hope the news is positive.
Report halcyon days June 9, 2010 7:35 PM BST
^ Here, here !
Report elise June 9, 2010 7:46 PM BST
if he does suffer from depression as some have said, it's a shame he didn't know how many people are wishing him well and hoping he'll be calling this weekend

come on back dougie, you've got plenty of fans
Report wonders June 9, 2010 8:20 PM BST
well said elise
Report bluenose7 June 9, 2010 8:41 PM BST
Mr Fraser,was the VOICE of the northern tracks,I'm praying I hear him again. Plain
Report snooker1 June 9, 2010 9:00 PM BST
must say i fear the worst 4 dougie but all we can do is pray 4 a happy outcome 2 this sad affair
Report jbarnes (no not him) June 9, 2010 9:31 PM BST
just hope he comes back ok
Report Opportunity Knocks June 9, 2010 9:45 PM BST
I spoke about this topic with some non gambling type people, they automatically assume if anyone may be troubled that has links to gambling that some sort of dodgy syndicate is involved or the person involved has run up out of control gambling debts. Though in this case the police have said his finances seem to be in OK shape.

Was also wondering why this has not received more widespread coverage outside racing circles?

I really like his tone and commentaries too, quite soothing, hope to hear them again shortly.
Report roobishisthat June 9, 2010 9:48 PM BST
such a shame, dougies a top race caller , just not looking good for him , hope hes ok
Report ALIEN SEX FIEND June 9, 2010 9:54 PM BST
Come back fit & well Dougie.
Report uptothelast June 10, 2010 12:26 AM BST
POLICE divers were searching the River Aire in Leeds on Tuesday as the hunt intensified for racing commentator Doug Fraser.

The 54-year-old Scot was reported missing at the weekend after failing to turn up to commentate at Hexham on Saturday afternoon.

Doug Fraser: commentator has been missing since Friday

Colleagues describe his unexplained absence as totally out of character, and Arthur Brown, Fraser's closest friend and a member of the SIS racecourse team, summed up their concern saying: "You could set your watch by Dougie, and my gut instinct when I heard he hadn't turned up at Hexham was that there was something hugely wrong."

Members of West Yorkshire Police's underwater search unit concentrated their attention on the stretch of river overlooked by the city centre block of flats where Fraser lived alone.

The last sighting of Fraser was on CCTV leaving the building at around 2am on Friday morning, but his motivation for going out at that time is not known.

A police spokesman said: "I can confirm that we are currently searching the River Aire in and around the city centre."

Anybody with information is asked to contact City and Holbeck police station on 0845 6060606
Report ALIEN SEX FIEND June 10, 2010 1:38 AM BST
The above is very worrying.
Report birkdale June 10, 2010 9:00 AM BST
It just doesn't make sense....

He was in touch with his family and got on well..... it seems he wasn't ill and had no money worries... he had a good job and had total respect from all his colleagues.... he was completely reliable in everything he did... and yet he leaves home at 2 am on his own without his car.
He can't be abroad so I'm just hoping that he felt he needed a few days completely on his own in order to deal with something.

I'm hoping for some positive news and can't wait to hear him on the northern circuit again before long.
Report TheNorfolkMafia June 10, 2010 11:06 AM BST
I fear the very worst, but i so hope i am wrong.
Report sj June 10, 2010 11:09 AM BST
yep the last sighting 'leaving at 2 am' does not bode well,lets hope for the best and fingers crossed for a happy ending
Report Facts June 10, 2010 11:17 AM BST
275,000 people are reported as missing each year in the Uk. Many of these eventually are found alive and well. Lets just hope that Dougie is one of these.
Report lordnoise June 10, 2010 11:18 AM BST
Fingers crossed for a Stephen Fry outcome.
Report howard June 10, 2010 11:58 AM BST
Birkdale , im sure what you say is correct but maybe he was sick of the job. It did involve long hours travelling alone and when you live alone aswell that will be tough especially for someone that once had a family life.
Report Tynecast1e June 10, 2010 12:21 PM BST
Howard, if your sick of the job you resign and look for something else not just vanish.
Report ybor city June 10, 2010 12:25 PM BST
that simple eh ? Tynecastle....the psychiatrist from the Daily Star.
Report Anybody help June 10, 2010 7:24 PM BST
Any more updates?
Report EastLower Gooner June 10, 2010 7:25 PM BST
Latest:

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/hexham-appeal-in-search-for-comm...
Report EastLower Gooner June 10, 2010 7:25 PM BST
http://bit.ly/bGQSHe

that might work better.
Report Moono June 10, 2010 7:32 PM BST
Lets hope they make an appeal on the morning line to.."Fraser's place in the commentary box this weekend will be taken by Iain McKenzie" thats not good news..Lets hope hes there rather than Sir Squeal..
Report Quark Strangeness & Charm June 10, 2010 8:30 PM BST
Here's hoping for the best, seems to be a top man.
Report kk forever 1 June 10, 2010 11:10 PM BST
taking a couple of days out this weekend,back on the forum on Sun nite,you will be included in the prayers Dougie boy and anybody else with troubles on thier mind,always remember no matter how bad things are sadly thier is always someone more worse off than yourself,too true eh
Report Win only - Sp only June 10, 2010 11:52 PM BST
Who knows what is going on in someones head, It looks ominous now - poor dougie.
Report celticfc123 June 10, 2010 11:53 PM BST
this is pretty sad,he's the only voice u associate with northern racing.
Report breadnbutter June 11, 2010 2:12 AM BST
when was the last day he worked and was seen ?

someone mentioned it was Wednesday but he was seen on cctv leaving his home in Leeds on Fri ?   night at 2am ?

seems strange at first that he was going out at 2am but if first race was not until 2pm at hexham it maybe is not that odd .casino ? late night drink ? ect ect ?

people on here are thinking lonely = depressed and he has committed suicide but i don't think that at all and there would be more chance he has been a victim of crime imo .

something is just not adding up here.

why are the police not providing more info ?

surely there must be more cctv of his movements ?

or is the suspicion he has left his house which is close to the river at 2pm and no other cctv exists ?

i am posting this to try to help and if anyone knows anything they should contact the police sooner rather than later .

i hope i have not upset any of Mr Fraser's friends or family but there does not seem to be much happening on this one ?


reports of police divers searching the river might seem ominous but don't forget the river is not that hard to search and was not in flood ,if he was in the river he would be found by now imo ,the police have specialist teams who are used to searching much bigger rivers than the Aire.
Report crags June 11, 2010 2:22 AM BST
... and your point is?
Report The Northern Pro June 11, 2010 2:55 AM BST
am i correct in reading that he had left his mobile phone and wallet at home, if true, why would someone go out at 2am without taking these with them???

looks like he intended coming back then does it not?? which is perhaps even more worrying
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