3-year-old falls from coaster at IdlewildPITTSBURGH — A 3-year-old boy fell from a roller coaster Thursday at the Idlewild and SoakZone amusement park in Ligonier but was conscious before being flown to a Pittsburgh hospital in a medical helicopter, officials said.There was no information available about the nature or extent of the boy’s injuries.“He was talking,” Idlewild spokesman Jeff Croushore said of the child. “He was alert with his family, but he was airlifted to a local hospital.”Croushore addressed the media Thursday afternoon and said the boy was injured on the Rollo Coaster, a 78-year-old attraction for riders who are at least 48 inches tall or 36 inches tall accompanied by an adult.The Rollo Coaster is about 1,400 feet long and is 40 feet high at its highest point. It reaches varying speeds between 10 and 25 mph, according to Croushore.The boy fell from the coaster train somewhere in the middle of the ride, but authorities were still investigating how high up the ride was when the fall occurred.A Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said the boy fell from the coaster. But a park statement addressed the injury by saying only that “a boy riding the Rollo Coaster with his brother was injured while riding the attraction.”

New car seat law takes effect todayHARRISBURG — Motorists in Pennsylvania must now make sure car seats face backward for all children until they’re 2 years old.The requirement is part of a new state law that went into effect today. It directs police to issue warnings for the first year, after which violations will cost $125 in fines, costs and fees.The measure makes Pennsylvania the fourth state to enact rear-facing child seat regulations for the youngest of children after California, New Jersey and Oklahoma.Advocates say facing children toward the back of the car dramatically lowers their risk of death or serious injury during crashes.The Pennsylvania Transportation Department says children should remain in rear-facing seats until they reach the manufacturer’s height or weight limits.

Officials weigh downsizing airportPITTSBURGH — A municipal authority that oversees Pittsburgh International Airport is considering downsizing the facility, which has seen significantly less passenger traffic since US Airways closed its hub there in 2004.Allegheny County Airport Authority officials say they’re considering reducing the number of gates and better promoting the area’s economy, culture and innovation.The authority is considering demolishing parts of the concourses.Officials say the authority is working on a master plan that should be completed next year.The airport underwent a $1 billion expansion in the early 1990s. It is designed to serve 35 million passengers annually, but currently serves about 8 million people a year.Officials say the airport regularly uses only about half of its 75 gates.