Both times mine's gone down I've gone at it from the seat end, and turned the bars to full lock using the floor most grip, then lifted using the grab rail and the same grip.
Adrenalin helps; first time a van had swiped me off, and second time I'd had the front wash out at 50mph exiting a bend and just slid on my arse for a good way. Amazing what you can do when pumped up.