KZ440 crash damage - gearshifter

Just posting this while I haven't had time to open anything up yet so I don't really know. I was wondering what you might think I should expect.
KZ440 - full engine rebuild a couple of years ago. Worked very well, and was reliable, until I dumped it on invisible oil/diesel in the rain at low speed a couple of days ago. Headlight and indicator and bent handlebar will be fixed - no problem. Unfortunately the gearshift lever was completely folded on itself, so the weight of the bike was on it. I straightened it out, and now when I try to change gear (it's been stuck in 1st or 2nd since the drop) I can tell the return spring is good and it comes back, but it doesn't shift into gear, up or down, or neutral. The gearshift shaft makes an unhealthy sound when I turn it. I think the sound is coming from under the clutch cover, i.e. it's the external shift pawl. 
When I get time I'll open it up and have a look. Best case scenario: the pawl acted like a sort of mechanical fuse, and needs replacement or repair. Worst case: bent shift fork, displaced drum, and I'm rebuilding this thing for the second time.

What's your best guess?

Bent shift rod binding in the engine case.  You may have to cut it off, to pull it through.  I assume it comes out the clutch side?