Twilight fan killed at Comic-Con

San Diego - A Twilight fan known only as "Gisella G" was struck by a car and killed on Tuesday while crossing the street to the San Diego Convention Centre, California, where the annual Comic-Con is being held, reports Gawker.

Gisella, a 53-year-old woman, was at the centre to join many Twilight fans camping out for The Twilight Saga panel at Comic-Con.

The Twilight panel, at which the cast of the popular vampire franchise - including Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson - are expected to meet and greet fans and present scenes from their final movie, is not due until Thursday, though fans have been lining up early to secure the best seats in the convention centre's expansive Hall H.

According to one of Gisella's fellow campers, she had been waiting in line since Sunday.

'Saddened'

According to San Diego police, Gisella ran into the middle of the road at 09:00 on Tuesday morning and tried to stop in her tracks but it was too late, reports the Associated Press. She was taken to a hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

The 67-year driver who hit her co-operated with investigators and will not be charged, say police.

Gisella's tragic death has not gone unnoticed by the Twilight community and she will be honoured at Thursday's panel. Lionsgate, the studio behind The Twilight Saga, released a statement in response to the accident:

"Lionsgate, Summit and the entire Twilight community are saddened by the death of a Comic-Con fan today due to a traffic accident during the hours leading up to this year's convention in San Diego. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the victim's family and friends. She will be respectfully remembered this Thursday in Hall H."

More than 100 000 pop-culture aficionados are expected to flood the San Diego Convention Centre from 12-15 July for the annual San Diego Comic-Con - a showcase for new and upcoming movies, TV series, books and comic book releases.

The final movie in The Twilight  Saga, Breaking Dawn Part 2, is set for release on 16 November.