During preflight a B757 Flight Attendant notices a five inch gap between the jet bridge and the aircraft and asks the gate agent to correct the problem. The problem was not corrected and during boarding a toddler fell into the gap.

Narrative

Upon boarding to our flight our crew noticed a five inch gap between the airplane and the jet bridge. The purser informed the gate agent we needed that fixed as we were already aware of a toddler on our flight. The agent said there is nothing they can do and the Mother should be holding his hand. The Purser then asked her to at least make an announcement of the gap. I was at door two and a woman holding her toddlers hand began to board. The mother let go of the little boys hand since she was holding three bags. The little boy was in front and as soon as he stepped on he walked right into the gap and fell down up to his chest. His legs were dangling above a fifteen foot drop. If it wasn't for his arms extended out and his size he would have fallen to the ground. I ran over and grabbed his arms. Under the circumstances his Mother was quite calm for what could have transpired. I and the purser were very attentive to them through out the flight. Had the agent listened to us this never would have happened. This incident could have been fatal.