King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have paid tribute to 16-year-old Julio Rodriguez, who has been dubbed "the angel of Adamuz" by Spanish media after rescuing survivors from a collision between two trains near the city of Córdoba.
The teenager ran back and forth to help people involved in the deadly rail crash, which claimed the lives of 42 people.
Officials say more than 120 have been injured, with 39 in hospital and 13 in intensive care.
Mr Rodriguez has spoken out for the first time since the crash, recalling how he was on his way home from a fishing trip with his mother and friend when they spotted two police cars and an ambulance driving at speed.
The King and Queen of Spain thanked the 16-year-old hero. | GETTYTRENDING
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The group followed the convoy and discovered the scene of the crash, which occurred near the station in Cordoba province.
Mr Rodriguez went to the carriages, which had fallen down a four-metre slope, as he spoke to survivors and jotted down names and telephone numbers of relatives just before the rescuers arrived.
The "angel of Adamuz" pulled a 10-year-old boy from the wrecked remains.
The King and Queen of Spain visited the scene of the crash and recognised the 16-year-old for his act of selflessness.
Mr Rodriguez has been dubbed the 'angel of Adamuz'.
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The royal couple spent time speaking with the hero about how he supported the survivors.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia stood close to the train carriages, where a recovery operation is continuing during a three-day period of national mourning.
The pair later travelled to Cordoba, where they visited hospital patients recovering from injuries and the families of the victims, according to The Times.
King Felipe said: "No matter how good the infrastructure is, accidents happen. This one has been very tragic... It could have been much worse, and the early response has minimised the number of fatalities."
The King and Queen visited the site of the wreckage
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Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska shared that 43 people are still missing, with officials stating it could take several days before a final death toll can be confirmed.
King Charles sent a message of condolence to King Felipe following Sunday's devastating train crash in Andalusia, Spain.
The British monarch expressed that he and Queen Camilla were "profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the appalling train accident in Southern Spain and of the many lives so tragically lost in such a disaster".
In his message, the King offered "deepest possible sympathy" to bereaved families and said his thoughts remained with those seriously hurt in the collision.
The royal couple visited survivors recovering in hospital
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Charles also praised the swift response of rescue workers, stating: "We also wish to pay a particular tribute to the emergency services who responded so swiftly and courageously at the scene of the crash."
The message, signed "Charles R", concluded by expressing solidarity with the Spanish people during this "painfully difficult time".
The trains involved were Freccia 1000 models, capable of reaching speeds up to 400 km/h, according to Italian rail company Ferrovie dello Stato.
Most fatalities and injuries occurred in the front carriages of the southbound train, which was pushed into an embankment by the force of the collision.
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