Zack Branham, Japan Tsunami Survivor, Walks 20 Hours To Find Girlfriend

After surviving the devastating 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, 24-year-old American teacher Zack Branham set out on a 20-hour trek to find his girlfriend in another village.

Branham spoke to CNN about his experiences, shared the shocking photos and videos he captured of the disaster, and the happy ending to his amazing love story.

WATCH:

For more information on relief efforts in Japan, and how you can help, please visit our How To Help page.

Comments

[DMSmith]

08:40 PM on 03/20/2011

The sad part of the 'her and I' bit is that it was a part of his explanation that they both teach English. It wasn't his only error in speaking English.
HOWEVER...he's an impressive young man and she's lucky - they both are. I'm glad they're well and found each other. I wish them both well. Sometimes errors in speaking are just that - and forgivable. He can teach that to us all.

[greetings101]

10:11 PM on 03/18/2011

its really touching. I'm glad he's safe.

[Komal Jujaray]

02:14 PM on 03/16/2011

Hey Zack,, ur unbelivable... i mean ur efforts wont go waste.... dnt worry,, u will definately get ur gf Safe....

[Angie777]

08:08 AM on 03/16/2011

A tiny spark of light in darkness, that is good news. Good man, Zach.

[lookintomyeye]

06:39 AM on 03/16/2011

awwwww how sweet and beautiful! Made my day♥

[DontBuy MeJunk]

06:33 AM on 03/16/2011

Just wanna to see the video because of Kirin, or whatever her name is.
The one on the right, . . she is gorgeous. Story = yawn.

[Mac1000]

08:29 AM on 03/16/2011

Does it feel good to be so jaded?

[kevdjb]

09:43 AM on 03/18/2011

"Story = yawn."

Well you're not exactly the cutting edge of excitement yourself mate.

[sb250guy]

04:25 AM on 03/16/2011

Human interest stories don't usually grab my attention. But I'm over here in Kyoto Japan watching the eastern part of the country turn into a hellscape. This story felt pretty good to watch.

[cparker]

12:05 AM on 03/17/2011

I hope you're doing ok..me too this was very nice to see

[jamsie]

03:34 AM on 03/16/2011

What a brave young man, the dude totally has big brass ones. I hope his girlfriend knows that he's a keeper.

Get home safely Zack!

[plaidsportcoat]

02:01 AM on 03/16/2011

In this article you refer to the earthquake magnitude as 8.9. It has been revised to 9.0. That is a whole lot bigger.

[RockyMissouri]

12:56 PM on 03/16/2011

What???????? Get a grip...!

[BlackYowe]

01:46 AM on 03/16/2011

What is wrong with you?

[European1919]

02:21 AM on 03/16/2011

Too much to list here I'd imagine.

[jamsie]

03:24 AM on 03/16/2011

Dude (or Madam), very, very inappropriate.

[computercats]

12:59 AM on 03/16/2011

Wow this story is really reaching. All these tragedies going on and CNN is looking for a lame human interest story. Plus, this Zach they interviewed, his English is horrible - "her and I"? - and every other was "actually." This is just bottom of the barrel reporting.

[kevdjb]

01:28 AM on 03/16/2011

You're a tw@t

[jamsie]

03:42 AM on 03/16/2011

I wonder how your English would hold up in the face of one of the worlds worst disasters, while risking your life to find a loved.

[eshesh]

12:59 AM on 03/16/2011

These anchorwomen have no idea how to ask a question. Im almost embarrassed watching them.

[shallots]

12:43 AM on 03/16/2011

I'm an American living in Japan. I've got to remind myself to stop scrolling down to comments. These comments are mostly a bummer.

[robin360]

12:59 AM on 03/16/2011

Hang in there, Shallots! We're worried and feel for you, too! I hope you are well.

[jamsie]

03:46 AM on 03/16/2011

Yeah, some of these comments are real bummers.

Hope you are safe, and well away from the horrors of the aftermath of the tsunami.

[Chief Sniffles]

12:03 AM on 03/16/2011

Thankful for him and his partner.

[PhineasGage730]

11:54 PM on 03/15/2011

GOD! Even with all the millions of Japanese dealing with the Tsunami, American media hunts down a WHITE AMERICAN to tell his wonderful, inspiring, makes you want to salute the flag and cry kind of story. We are such a shallow nation.

[Kevin Ware]

12:17 AM on 03/16/2011

It's a story that the majority of America can relate with. So sue us.

[PhineasGage730]

03:21 AM on 03/16/2011

Exactly...

Thanks for the honesty. Most people will pretend that is not the truth. White Americans have so much trouble relating to other cultures (outside of a superficial level).

[iammykl]

12:32 AM on 03/16/2011

Hi. I haven't read the story but I can already say that I agree with you. Thanks.