Westbrook police said a 22-year-old man was killed when his car left the road near the Spring Street bridge Sunday morning, went airborne and landed on the ice-covered Stroudwater River.

Police Chief Janine Roberts identified the victim as Fouad Abdullah of Westbrook. Roberts said the rear end of Abdullah’s car was spotted protruding from the river by a passer-by, who notified police by calling 9-1-1.

Roberts told reporters at the accident scene that Abdullah’s vehicle – a black 2011 Chevrolet Cruze – appeared to have been headed inbound from South Portland when it crossed the centerline, hit a guardrail and went airborne.

Roberts said the four-door sedan passed between a stand of trees and a utility pole before landing on the ice-covered river. The car rolled over and came to rest on its roof before sinking through the ice.

Abdullah was a table tennis champion in Maine and was a member of the Iraqi national team.

Fouad Abdullah, shown in 2014, quickly became known for his considerable table-tennis skills when he emigrated to Maine from Iraq.

Fouad Abdullah, shown in 2014, quickly became known for his considerable table-tennis skills when he emigrated to Maine from Iraq.

An autopsy will be conducted by the state Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death, Roberts said.

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The car was partially submerged in the river off Spring Street when it was discovered around 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The accident shut down Spring Street for several hours while emergency workers cleared the scene.

Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com

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