Norwood woman dies after being struck by snow plow at Norwood Central

The MBTA Transit Police reported on Sunday that Noriko Rapley, 51, of Norwood was struck and killed at the MBTA lot for the Norwood Central Commuter Rail Station.

As a major snowstorm blanketed the area, Rapley was walking with her husband, 47, when a Ford-F350 truck struck them. Rapley’s husband, who has not been identified at the time of publication, sustained injuries that were deemed not to be life threatening. Transit Police stated that the 33-year-old driver, who has not been identified at the time of publication, stayed on the scene. MBTA Police stated he is a driver for a private company.

The collision took place around 2 p.m. when the couple was walking through the lot.

Rapley was a researcher at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a Ph.D researcher in the Department of Molecular Biology, and was, according to the Harvard Catalyst, cited in more than 30 research papers after starting her career in 2008.

MGH released a statement on Rapley’s contributions to the field and her relationships with fellow researchers:

“Noriko was an exceptional scientist whose work was driven by rigor, creativity, and a deep commitment to understanding human biology,” the statement read. “Most recently, her research focused on the biology of the intestine, with the goal of advancing new therapeutic approaches for diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and food allergy…. 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.”

The Norwood Police Department also released a statement:

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“As many of you may be aware, Norwood experienced a tragic fatal motor vehicle accident between a snow plow and a pedestrian last night. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this loss.”

This is not the first time someone has been struck and killed in the area of Norwood Central involving the MBTA. During the summer of 2017, a swing loader struck and killed 55-year-old Cheryl Ann McCarthy when she was trying to navigate around bridge work directly north of the station. The swing loader operator was described as a 10-year veteran of Keolis. No follow-up on the incident is readily available.