Woman killed by snow plow while walking with husband in Norwood MBTA lot during winter storm
A woman in Norwood, Massachusetts was hit and killed by a snow plow truck while walking with her husband in an MBTA parking lot during Sunday's winter storm.
It happened around 2 p.m. in the MBTA Norwood Central parking lot.
Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan said the 51-year-old woman and her 47-year-old husband were walking through the lot when a plow truck driver in a Ford F350 backed into them.
Death of Dr. Noriko Oshiro-Rapley
The driver, a 33-year-old man, is not an MBTA employee. Sullivan said the man was clearing snow for a private company that was contracted by the MBTA.
The woman was pronounced dead on scene as a result of her injuries. On Monday, she was identified as Dr. Noriko Oshiro-Rapley of Norwood.
Her husband was rushed to an area hospital with injuries, but is expected to survive.
Transit police detectives and the Norfolk County District Attorney's office are investigating the woman's death.
Sullivan said the plow driver remained on scene and cooperated with detectives.
"This is an unimaginable horrific incident," Sullivan said. "On behalf of the Transit Police and the entire MBTA organization we express our most sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends. Our thought and prayers are with them."
The incident came during a winter storm that is bringing more than a foot of snow throughout Massachusetts. Some parts of the state could receive two feet of snow.
During her Monday news conference, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Rapley's death is under investigation.
"I've spoken with her husband. It's devastating. It's heartbreaking. And my heart goes out to their family. Very sorry to see that. Very unfortunate to see that," Healey said.
Respected scientist at Mass General Hospital
Oshiro-Rapley was a scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, beginning her career in 2008 in the Departments of Molecular Biology and Medicine. She joined the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology in 2019.
At Mass General, Oshiro-Rapley was an instructor of medicine.
Her research work most recently focused on the biology of the intestine. Oshiro-Rapley was working to advance new therapeutic approaches for diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and food allergy, Mass General said.
"Beyond her many scientific contributions, Noriko was a kind and generous colleague-always ready to help others, lift spirits with a thoughtful word, or share a homemade dessert. She touched the lives of those around her in lasting and meaningful ways, and she will be deeply missed," Mass General Hospital said in a statement, adding "Her scientific rigor was matched only by her integrity, which was central to who she was."
