Just a thought , the release mechanism will rotate around the steering column. It has holes in it to allow retraction so the bolts holding the quick release mechanism pass through these holes to extend the travel of the release mechanism. If it has got rotated so the bolts cant pass through , you cant move the release mechanism enough to release.
So , simply try rotating it until you can see the bolts moving into the holes , so you get an extra bit of movement and hopefully it will release.
