A dramatic video shows a toddler disappearing from his mum's view as he falls through a manhole cover on a street.
Amy Blyth, 23, was walking with her 18-month-old son, Theo, on a pavement not far from her mum's place in Ashford, Kent when the nightmarish accident happened on Sunday morning (May 22).
Nearby CCTV reveals the horrifying moment when Theo steps on the metal cover and quickly falls down a drain shaft before it flips over and closes on top of him.
Amy, who is just following behind Theo, yanks off the metal cover and jumps down to lift her baby boy out of the deep hole.
The poor boy was left covered in sewage water and appeared in a state of shock.
Recalling the bone-chilling moment, Amy said: "My first thought was 'oh my God, he's dead'.
"I yanked the drain lid out, and I just saw him down there, screaming my name. There was sewage up to his knees.
"I jumped down the drain, but it's not big enough for me to bend over to grab him. I had to sort of arch my body to grab him and pull him up."
She estimated the shaft was at least 5ft under ground, adding: "It was so deep you couldn't see my head from the ground and I wasn't even on the floor."
After they got out, the terrified mum rushed Theo to William Harvey Hospital where he was diagnosed with mild concussion, but X-rays revealed that he miraculously got away without a broken bone.
Amy raised the issue to Southern Waters as she believed the drain cover has been faulty for some time.
It is understood Southern Water is working to establish, who is responsible for the drain and manhole.
Four investigators were seen in the area on Monday looking into the cause of the accident.
The utility company confirmed it is investigating and taking the matter "very seriously".
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A spokesman said: "We are aware of a situation involving a child and an open manhole.
"This is clearly an upsetting situation for those involved and our team is on-site. A dedicated customer liaison officer has been assigned to support the family.
"We are taking this matter very seriously and our first priority was to make the area safe. Next steps are to understand exactly what happened."
Southern Water has been contacted for an update into its investigation.
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