A young cyclist “could have died” after he plunged into a sinkhole full of water, his concerned family have warned.

Kurt Cann was forced to stand on his bicycle pedals to keep himself afloat after being one of two people who fell into the void on the Hythe Bypass.

He was cycling to work at 5.30am on Tuesday, June 17 morning, when the ground beneath his wheels suddenly gave out.

As reported, a second cyclist fell into the same sinkhole the day after Kurt did.

“The next thing I knew I went into a massive hole in the road”, he said.

The 21-year-old construction worker said there was no warning on approach to the sinkhole, bar a single cone on the side of the road.

Kurt said: “The water was up to my shoulders, and I am 5’7.

“A member of the public helped me get out of the sinkhole; he stopped and pulled over.

“I went home and got dressed and went out to work again. I now have pain in my lower back which I am seeing a doctor for.

“Southern Water actually needed to block the whole area off.”

Southern Water workers at the sinkhole on WednesdaySouthern Water workers at the sinkhole on Wednesday (Image: Supplied) Contractors from the utility company have been on-site this week after a water mains burst, leaving several people without water.

But this incident happened before the road was fully closed, Kurt's relative Joanne Hobbs said.

Joanne said someone without a bicycle or shorter than Kurt could have died in the sinkhole.

READ MORE: Man cycles into sinkhole full of water from burst main

The 45-year-old salon owner said: “It is only because of his height and the fact he had his bike that he was ok.

“Mum got straight on the case with Southern Water and they initially denied accountability for it.”

She added neither her mother nor Kurt have received an apology from Southern Water four days on from the terrifying ordeal. The utility firm has publicly said it was sorry to hear of the incidents.

“The area was not even coned off – there was one cone on the road”, Joanne added.

“We need to get to the cause of what has happened here, and why it happened twice”.

He required help from Southern Water contractors onsite to safely get out of the hole.

Joanne said: “Kurt returned home afterwards soaked from head to toe, completely distraught and shaken, according to my mum.

“It needs to be dealt with, and Kurt needs an apology.”

A Southern Water spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear about the accident and are still investigating the cause of the sinkhole.”